International auto shows are becoming a dying breed, even pre-Covid their popularity was declining. Those that do remain such as IAA Munich are having to find new ways to make themselves relevant. Britain has not had such an event since 2008 when the biannual British International Motor Show ceased.
Goodwood Festival of Speed however has emerged as one of a new breed of events, which is not only popular with spectators but also with car companies. Held at the Lord of Richmond’s country pile in Goodwood, West Sussex the event forgoes the stuffy halls of the traditional auto show for a more up close and personal interaction with the cars and most importantly the event gives the cars a chance to actually perform and show off their prowess.
Long favored by luxury and premium producers, Goodwood this year has received some love from Chinese brands. While MG has grabbed most of the headlines thanks to the electrifying Cyber GTS along with the launch of the second generation MG HS in right-hand drive, the SAIC-owned brand was not the only face from China in attendance. Chery, Hongqi, and BYD all had a showing hoping to gain traction with their plans for the UK and European markets.
MG was not the only Chinese brand with a right-hand drive car in attendance, Chery brought the Jaecoo J7. It debuted at the Beijing Auto Show earlier this year and is a rebadged version of the Chery Tansuo 06. The car has already been put through its paces in the UK at the Millbrook Proving Ground but Goodwood allowed the first chance for the public to get up close and personal with Jaecoo J7 which is due to go on sale in the UK in September priced from around 35,000 pounds (45,400 USD). Petrol ICE and PHEV versions of the car are expected. It measures in at 4538, 1898, and 1680 mm and the wheelbase is 2672 mm. Chery claims to have ranked first for the export of Chinese brand passenger cars for 21 consecutive years. In 2023 Chery Group exported 937,148 cars, a year-on-year increase of 101.1%.
BYD entered the UK market last year and for Goodwood the Shenzhen-based company brought cars from not only the BYD brand but also Denza and Yangwang as well. The most mundane was the Seal U, and it is the only one that is so far confirmed for the UK market with sales expected to commence in the autumn. A PHEV the Seal U is the export name used in the European market for the Chinese market Song Plus DM-i.
The Seal U was shown at last year’s IAA Munich event as was another car BYD brought to Goodwood, the Denza D9. Although it is known that BYD is looking to bring the Denza brand to Europe it is currently unknown whether the D9 (see specs) will be one of the models offered.
Far more exciting for spectators were the offerings from Yangwang which brought both the U8 and the U9. The U8 (see specs) is a highly capable off-road SUV featuring four electric motors and a 2.0T engine as a range extender. Really ramping up the amps was the U9 (see specs), the brand’s electric hypercar, which went on sale earlier this year and is capable of a 0- 100 km/h time In 2.36 seconds. The Yangwang U9 was one of the cars seen burning up the circuit and being put through its paces at Goodwood.
Hongqi brought its two new electric cars the EHS7 SUV and the EH7 sedan. Both cars were seen being put through their paces on the track and the FAW-owned Hongqi brand was one of the official partners of the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Hongqi is looking to expand its overseas sales and likely using the event as a springboard into Europe. It should be noted that the EHS7 was unveiled at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show but has not yet been launched. Chinese media noted that the logo on the car at Goodwood is different to the one seen at the Beijing Auto Show. The EHS7 (see specs) measures in at 4925, 1950 and 1680 mm and the wheelbase is 3000 mm. It will be available with a choice of single and dual-motor powertrains.
Sources: BYD, Autohome
The Xpeng G6 was also there.
Correct, why Xpeng is not mentioned?
Compare Xpeng G6 against MG cars.
MG is miles away.