High inflation has caused the prices of new cars to skyrocket, putting them financially out of reach for many people. However, outside of the United States, there are some very affordable vehicles, especially in developing markets like China. This includes the all-electric ChangLi Nemica from China. It is the cheapest new car in the world as it only costs around $1,000. Additionally, Americans can own the Nemica by ordering it from Alibaba’s site.
ChangLi Nemica is the cheapest new car in the world
With a starting price that ranges between $930 and $1,249, the ChangLi Nemica is the cheapest new car in the world. It is also the cheapest EV in the world. As detailed by HotCars, most of the low-priced new cars are from China. The next most affordable is the Minghong S1-PRO ($1,265).
Here are the cheapest new cars in the world:
- ChangLi Foe: $930
- Minghong S1-PRO: $1,265
- Haibao Qiao Hu: $1,669
- MH S3: $1,811
- QK Pickup: $1,859
- ChangLi 003: $1,988
- R&Z SUV: $1,990
- ChangLi PK-002: $2,058
- ChangLi Mini Solar: $2,090
- Hongsheng Pickup: $2,500
Like the ChangLi Nemica, many of these affordable Chinese cars can be ordered from Alibaba’s site – and then shipped to the US. Alibaba is similar to Amazon – but with even more selection, including cheap vehicles. However, the main thing to remember is that the listed prices for these cars do not include shipping costs and customs fees.
Nemica is not as bad as you think
When you see the $1,000 price tag for the world’s cheapest new car, it’s natural to assume it’s a low-quality vehicle. However, even though ChangLi Nemica has some limitations, it’s not as bad as you might think.
Jalopnik’s Jason Torchinski ordered and drove the ChangLi — and reports on it when it’s new and after a year of use. In China, the Nemica, with its comically vertically oriented shape and compact dimensions, is primarily used by taxi drivers in rural areas to give access to mobility to elderly people who cannot drive. With its rear-wheel-drive electric motor, it has a top speed of 23 miles per hour and a range of 28 miles. There is a radio in the cabin that can play MP3. There is also a backup camera.
For the test drive, driving dynamics were better than expected, thanks to responsive steering and nimble handling. Also, the suspension provides a surprising amount of cushioning from road imperfections.
Also, Nemica holds up pretty well after a year — considering its low price. Torchinski said many people didn’t think it would last and “dissolve into a pile of rust and pain in a few weeks.” However, despite heavy use “and not caring about it”, ChangLi still works well.
Is ChangLi Nemica street legal?
The street legal nature of ChangLi Nemica varies from state to state in America, depending on regulations. Technically, an electric car does not meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for a vehicle in this class. However, some locations have looser restrictions. Torchinski said he uses ChangLi for errands around town, such as picking up takeout from a restaurant.
However, with a top speed of 23 mph, the Nemica is clearly not suitable for highway use. However, for city driving and short trips it works well. Also, for places where street traffic is not legal, Nemica can be a good option for those who have a lot of land around their house. While it’s not a fast-moving electric car, it’s much more than a glorified golf cart.
ChangLi Nemica is the cheapest new car in the world. And for those willing to wait out the long shipping time from China and the potential hassles with customs, it can be ordered from Alibaba. However, according to a recent human rights report, Chinese car manufacturers have ties to slave labor in China’s Xinjiang region, so it’s something you might want to consider.
Unfortunately, with the expansiveness of the global supply chain, forced labor in China affects the entire auto parts industry. As detailed in the report, if you’ve bought a new vehicle in the last five years, it’s likely to be tainted by forced labor.