Changan Deepal S05 Coming to UK at £38k - Direct Elroq Competitor

[james_lee]

Also, let's be honest - how many Changan dealers are actually in the UK? Even if the car is good, if you need service in rural areas, you're potentially stuck. Infrastructure matters as much as the vehicle itself.

[michael_young]

I read they're planning around 50 dealerships across the UK for launch. Not massive, but decent for initial rollout. Could expand if sales go well.

[andrew_brown]

I think people are overthinking the 'Chinese brand' angle. BYD and XPeng have proven these companies can build quality vehicles. Changan has just taken longer to enter the UK market, but they're not newcomers. The real test will be the ownership experience over 5-10 years.

[oliviahall926]

I think the styling is quite modern. It doesn't look cheap or plasticky like some budget EVs. Definitely comparable to what you get in the Elroq at nearly twice the price sometimes.

[lunajohnson768]

The acceleration figures are respectable too. 0-60 in around 7-8 seconds depending on the model. Not sporty, but more than adequate for daily driving.

[oliviahall926]

This is why I'm interested. I've been waiting for more competition in the affordable EV space. The Elroq is decent but they know they have a captive audience. Some real competition might force them to improve.

[sofia.walker]

50 dealerships might sound okay, but when you compare it to Tesla's network or even smaller brands like MG, that's still pretty thin. Maintenance costs could spike if you're traveling hours for a service appointment.

[noah.wijaya]

Technology-wise, the S05 seems on par or even ahead. Android Auto integration, decent infotainment system, and the driving range is solid. If build quality holds up, this could be genuinely good.

[noah_walker]

Still unconvinced without seeing real UK ownership data. I'll wait for consumer reports and independent reviews. Too many unknowns with brand new market entry.