A new 2026 survey from the Dave Cantin Group found 51% of all US car buyers would consider a Chinese-built vehicle if available, rising sharply to 77% among buyers under 35 — even though no Chinese-branded cars can currently be sold in the US due to 100% tariffs. The findings, drawn partly from dealer and industry executive input, land amid broader anxiety in Detroit about Chinese automakers potentially gaining backdoor access via manufacturing in Mexico, especially as EV demand cools and affordability becomes buyers' top priority