Where do domestic cars fall short compared to joint-venture cars?

[DeRiley]

Here are the differences between domestic and joint-venture cars: 1. Craftsmanship level - For joint-venture cars, the product inspection is strictly controlled by foreign partners who implement extremely rigorous quality testing with repeated checks before leaving factory, while domestic cars are relatively lacking in this aspect. 2. Capital investment - Domestic brands have insufficient R&D funding for engines and inadequate attention to detail processing, whereas joint-venture cars invest more. 3. Although domestic brands have developed rapidly in recent years, there still exists some gap compared with joint-venture brands. The gap lies not in configuration quantity but in overall quality control and workmanship, though their advantage lies in highly cost-effective models.

[Lucian]

I've driven quite a few domestic and joint-venture cars, and the most noticeable difference lies in the 'big three' components. In terms of engines, domestic cars often have impressive specs on paper, but in reality, their transmission shift logic isn't as refined, and fuel consumption frequently exceeds the claimed figures. The chassis is another weak point – body roll is obvious when cornering, and bumps from speed bumps are directly transmitted into the cabin. My friend's joint-venture car still feels tight after eight years, while domestic cars often start to feel loose after just three. However, domestic cars have made significant progress over the past five years. For instance, Chery's lifetime engine warranty and Changan's Blue Core power units are quite reliable, though their tuning expertise still needs a few more years to mature. If you're really considering buying, I'd suggest avoiding brand-new models right after launch; waiting six months for market validation is safer.

[DelCaden]

As a car owner born in the 90s, my friends and I all agree that the resale value of domestic cars is heartbreaking. Last year when helping a colleague sell his domestic SUV, the three-year-old car had depreciated by nearly half. Although joint-venture brands also depreciate, popular models like Toyota and Honda can still fetch about 60% of their original price after five years. Another pain point is that the used car market generally looks down on domestic cars - dealers always nitpick minor issues to drive down prices. When I sold my car, I encountered an issue with random warning lights flashing (which didn't actually affect driving), and ended up getting 3,000 yuan less because of it. That said, the features on current domestic cars are truly impressive - you can get L2 driving assistance and 360-degree cameras for just 100,000 yuan. If you're buying one, I'd recommend keeping it longer to maximize its value, or choosing brands like Haval and Geely that have better acceptance in the used car market.

[VonLorenzo]

From a technical perspective, the core gap lies in system standards. I've visited production lines of domestic OEMs and found some component suppliers secretly changed materials to reduce costs. Once at a testing ground, I saw wheel hub bolts of a certain brand's new car fracture, and the investigation revealed the supplier used non-compliant steel. Joint venture brands are much stricter in supply chain management - for example, Volkswagen's Class A material standard documentation spans over 400 pages. The difference is even more apparent in tuning. Anyone who's driven different brands knows that joint venture cars have more linear throttle and brake tuning, while domestic cars often make the initial stage overly sensitive to create an illusion of strong power. However, leading domestic brands are now rapidly improving quality control, especially in the EV era. Breakthroughs like BYD's Blade Battery have already surpassed joint venture technologies.

[McRemington]

The most annoying thing about owning a car for eight years is the minor issues. My domestic car started leaking water into the trunk after rain in its first year, and it took three inspections to discover the improperly installed sealing strip. There was also the rattling noise from the glove compartment on the passenger side, which required the mechanic to add shims three times before it finally stopped. In contrast, the decade-old Volkswagen Tiguan at my workplace has had no mechanical issues apart from the aging sunroof seal causing leaks. Quality control is quite a mystery—while domestic brands may impress with their initial build quality, the durability of plastic and rubber components clearly lags behind. I've since learned my lesson: whenever picking up a new car, I always bring a high-powered flashlight to inspect the seams and never overlook areas like the wheel arch liners. Fortunately, domestic brands now excel in electronic warranty services, allowing repairs to be scheduled via mobile apps, saving countless trips to the dealership.