Why Are There So Many Second-hand Chery eQ1s in the Market?

[SpencerAnn]

The reason there are many second-hand Chery eQ1s in the market is that the Chery eQ1 is more affordable compared to other car brands, making it very friendly for new car owners and highly suitable for commuting. Dimensions: The Chery eQ1 is a micro electric vehicle with a wheelbase of 2150 mm, and its length, width, and height are 3200 mm, 1670 mm, and 1550 mm respectively. It is a hatchback model. Powertrain: The Chery eQ1 is a single-motor vehicle. Its motor is rear-mounted, making it a rear-wheel-drive car. The motor has a maximum power of 30 kW and a maximum torque of 120 Nm. The vehicle uses a lithium-ion battery, which has a higher energy density and is lighter in weight. Suspension: The Chery eQ1 features a MacPherson independent suspension at both the front and rear. The MacPherson suspension is a simple-structured independent suspension widely used in various applications.

[McCody]

I find this question quite interesting. Having just sold my own Little Ant last year to upgrade, I can totally relate. The second-hand market is flooded with Little Ants mainly because many owners find them inadequate after purchase. With a range of only 100-200 kilometers, they're fine for grocery runs or school drop-offs, but fall short for long trips or family outings. The cabin space is also as cramped as a pigeon coop, making it tricky to pack even modest luggage. Additionally, the generous new energy subsidies back then led many beginners to buy them as practice cars due to the low price, only to upgrade after 2-3 years of driving experience. Plus, with repair parts widely available, these cars are extremely easy to resell—no worries about finding buyers.

[AugustDella]

As someone who frequents the used car market every day, I've seen too many Little Ants changing hands. The main reason is that many of these cars are retired from shared car fleets—just look at the shared electric vehicles all over the streets; they reach their end-of-life after two or three years of use. Dealers buy them in bulk, give them a quick refurbishment, and put them up for sale. Also, the resale value of these cars isn’t great—a new one costs around 70,000 to 80,000 yuan, but after two years, the price is literally halved, so many feel it’s better to sell than keep. Then there are the quality issues, like squeaky windows and slow charging—small but persistent problems that aren’t expensive to fix but are quite annoying.

[DelElliot]

I've been driving a new energy vehicle for ride-hailing for three years, and found the core issue with the abundance of second-hand Ants lies in charging anxiety. Many owners bought them for the low price, only to find the range halved when using heating in winter, and not daring to even turn on the AC when it gets slightly cold. Plus, most fast-charging stations are designed for larger vehicles, making these micro cars wait in line for ages to charge, nowhere near as hassle-free as fuel cars. And now with more options at the same price point, like the more stylish Wuling Mini, who'd want to take on an older Ant?

[VanJude]

Last week, I helped a friend pick up a used Little Ant, and I realized why this car depreciates so quickly. Firstly, Chery's massive production volume has led to market saturation, with dealerships often running promotions where you can drive away a new car for just 20,000-30,000 yuan. Secondly, there's the battery lifespan issue—after three or four years of use, once the battery health drops below 70%, no one dares to buy it. More critically, the safety features are minimal; it might not even have basic airbags, making young parents hesitant to let their kids ride in such a car after marriage and starting a family.

[CamillaLee]

I've interacted with many owners of the Little Ant (a micro EV), and found that their regrets are often related to urban policies. For example, initially there were no license plate restrictions or traffic limitations, but now even new energy vehicles face restrictions in big cities. Additionally, property management won't allow charging pile installation, forcing owners to queue at public charging stations. Another hidden issue is annual inspections - the standards for these micro EVs keep getting stricter, prompting many to sell early to avoid hassle. Plus, replacing the battery costs nearly half the car's value, making the maintenance costs absurdly high - many find it more economical to just replace the vehicle entirely.