What are the differences between US-spec and China-spec cars?
2 Answers
The differences between US-spec and China-spec cars are: 1. Different meanings: US-spec cars refer to vehicles produced to comply with US traffic regulations; China-spec cars refer to vehicles produced to comply with Chinese traffic regulations. 2. Different language displays: The dashboard and center console of US-spec cars are displayed in English; those of China-spec cars are displayed in Chinese. 3. Different turn signal bulb colors: US-spec cars have red turn signal bulbs; China-spec cars have yellow turn signal bulbs. 4. Different odometers: The odometer on US-spec cars uses miles; the odometer on China-spec cars uses kilometers. 5. Different headlights: US-spec cars use the same bulb for parking lights and headlights; China-spec cars use two separate bulbs.
There are significant differences in safety configurations between US-spec and China-spec vehicles. I've noticed that US-spec cars often come equipped with more airbags, such as side airbags and knee airbags as standard features, because the stringent NHTSA crash tests in the US mandate five-star ratings as a hard requirement, which makes driving feel more reassuring. In contrast, for China-spec vehicles in the Chinese market, although there is the C-NCAP standard, some brands omit side airbags in entry-level models and simplify pedestrian protection systems. In actual use, I've tried a US-spec midsize SUV, where the collision warning response was faster and blind-spot monitoring more reliable, which is very helpful for long-distance travel. These differences stem from varying regulations—the US emphasizes accident prevention details, while China focuses on gradual improvements. Therefore, when choosing a car, it's important to prioritize safety, especially for family vehicles, and not overlook this aspect. Additionally, there are differences in emission controls, which I'll discuss later.
