High inflation has caused the price 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, particularly in emerging markets like China. This includes China’s all-electric ChangLi Nemica. It’s the cheapest new car in the world, costing only around $1,000. Additionally, Americans can purchase Nemica by ordering it from the Alibaba website.
ChangLi Nemica is the cheapest new car in the world
With a starting price ranging from $930 to $1,249, the ChangLi Nemica is the cheapest new car in the world. It’s also the cheapest EV in the world. As detailed by HotCars, most new vehicles with very low prices are from China. The next most affordable is the Minghong S1-PRO ($1,265).
Here are the cheapest new cars in the world:
- ChangLi Nemica: $930
- Minghong S1-PRO: $1,265
- Haibao Qiao Hu: $1,669
- MH S3: $1,811
- QK Withdrawal: $1,859
- ChangLi 003: $1,988
- R&Z SUV: $1,990
- ChangLi PK-002: $2058
- 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 website – and then shipped to the US. Alibaba is similar to Amazon – but with even more options, including cheap vehicles. However, it’s important to remember that the prices listed for these cars do not include shipping costs and customs fees.
Nemica isn’t as bad as you might think.
When looking at the $1,000 price tag of the world’s cheapest new car, it’s natural to assume it’s a low-quality vehicle. However, although ChangLi Nemica has some limitations, it’s not as bad as you might think.
Jason Torchinsky from jalopnik ordered and drove the ChangLi – and reported on it when new and after a year of use. In China, the Nemica, with its comic vertically oriented shape and compact dimensions, is mainly used by taxi drivers in rural areas to provide mobility for elderly people who cannot drive. With its rear-wheel drive electric motor, it reaches a top speed of 23 mph and a range of 28 miles. Inside the cabin, there is a radio that plays MP3. There is also a backup camera.
For the test drive, the driving dynamics were better than expected, thanks to the responsive steering and agile handling. Additionally, the suspension provides a surprising amount of dampening from road imperfections.
Also, Nemica held up reasonably well after a year – considering its low price. Torchinsky said many people thought it wouldn’t last and would “dissolve into a pile of rust and pain in a matter of weeks”. However, despite heavy use “and not spoiling it”, the ChangLi still performs well.
Is ChangLi Nemica street legal?
The legal nature of ChangLi Nemica varies from state to state in America, depending on regulations. Technically, the electric car does not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for a vehicle in its class. However, some locations have looser restrictions. Torchinsky said he uses ChangLi to run errands around town, like picking up a food order at a restaurant.
However, with a top speed of 23 mph, the Nemica is obviously not suited for highway use. For city driving and short trips though, it works fine. Also, for places where it’s not legal, Nemica can be a good option for those who have a lot of land around their home. While it’s not a speedy electric car, it’s much more than a glorified golf cart.
The ChangLi Nemica is the cheapest new car in the world. And for those willing to wait for the long shipping time from China and potential hassles with customs, it can be ordered from Alibaba. However, according to a recent human rights report, Chinese car manufacturers have connections to slave labor in the Xinjiang region of China, so this is something you might want to consider.
Unfortunately, with the expansion of the global supply chain, forced labor in China affects the entire automotive auto parts industry. As detailed in the report, if you purchased a new vehicle within the last five years, it is likely contaminated by forced labor.