Everyone is talking about China and how it could take over the luxury car market within the next seven years. 

McKinsey & Company estimates Chinese manufacturers will be in control of 40 per cent of the world’s luxury automotive market by 2020, taking business away from European manufacturers. 

But just as China offers great potential for established European manufacturers to make their mark in East Asia, the Chinese government is controlling and places tight restrictions of foreign manufacturers.

Speaking to Motortrades Insight’s Danny Hewitt, Mark Ovenden said: “So far, it’s a fairly limited impact. I think there are a few Chinese brands there but just as the Japanese came and the Koreans came, I would expect that we should anticipate over fullness of time that Chinese competitors will pose a significant challenge for us. 

“Ford is investing in China and we see China as a huge growth opportunity for us.”

While exports of Chinese vehicles rockets to around one million last year, most sales were to emerging economies including Brazil, Chile, Russia, South Afria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, Algeria and Iraq. 

Typically, Chinese-made cars sell for half the price of the established multinational brands’ models. But do not be fooled. The Chinese cars are cheap for a reason – they lack some vital safety features. 

In an age when cars are being made safer for occupants, pedestrians and other motorists, Britons are being warned to steer clear of the new Chinese brands and instead opt for higher quality British and European built vehicles.