What are the differences between engines of domestic cars and joint-venture cars?
3 Answers
Domestic cars and joint-venture cars differ in engine quality, which is indeed a significant distinction between them. In the joint-venture car market, whether it's Japanese brands like Toyota and Honda, German brands like Volkswagen and BMW, or Korean brands like Hyundai and Kia, these companies have a relatively long history and strong engine technology. The annual 'Top 10 Engines' are mostly produced by these companies. More information about domestic engines is as follows: 1. Chinese manufacturers can produce excellent engines, but due to factors such as design, equipment, and materials, there is still a gap compared to the world's top standards. Therefore, there is still a considerable distance to fully independently design and manufacture outstanding engines. 2. China's automotive industry started late, and many companies initially relied on purchasing and reverse-engineering well-known, high-quality engines for their own design and development.
Domestic car engines, like the ones we've repaired, are mostly independently developed domestically or incorporate partially imported technologies, offering affordable prices. However, they may lack refinement in design and manufacturing details, such as material selection and sealing, leading to early-stage issues like abnormal noises or sludge accumulation. Joint-venture car engines typically benefit from foreign brand technology inputs, such as Volkswagen's EA888 or Toyota's hybrid systems, featuring more optimized structures, longer lifespans, and fewer fault codes during maintenance. Cost-wise, domestic parts are cheaper and easier to find, resulting in lower repair costs, making them more budget-friendly. In the long run, domestic engines have made significant progress, but joint-venture models still hold clear advantages in noise control and fuel economy, though the gap is narrowing. I recommend weighing your budget and driving habits when choosing a car.
I've driven both domestic and joint-venture cars, and I feel the engine differences aren't significant for daily driving. Domestic models like the Geely 1.4T have slightly sluggish starts, with fuel consumption around 8.5L, and the engine noise is more noticeable during highway acceleration. Joint-venture models like Honda's Earth Dreams offer smoother power delivery, quieter operation, and similar city fuel consumption but better overall fuel efficiency. Price-wise, domestic models are 10,000 to 20,000 RMB cheaper, with more affordable maintenance costs – oil changes and air filter replacements are hassle-free. If you prioritize comfort and quietness, joint-venture cars are better, but for my personal use over many years, the savings from domestic models have been well worth it when spent on maintenance.