Chinese electric vehicles have been gaining popularity among Greeks since last year when some of China's car brands entered the country's market.
The trend aligns with the Greek government's recent efforts to promote green transportation in order to meet carbon emission targets and support sustainable development. "Every day people come to the car showroom in the store. More and more new customers come to see cars and test drive them. Customers have greater recognition and interest in the brand," said a car sales consultant at a dealership in the Greek capital, Athens.
In Greece, the development of EVs is still in its infancy, with a market share of only about five percent.
The dense population, lack of infrastructure such as charging stations, and low replacement rates have all become factors restricting the development of EVs.
But in recent years, high gas prices have forced many Greeks to turn their attention to EVs.
"I did a lot of market research and visited a lot of stores. Chinese cars have excellent mechanical systems, along a great design and reasonable prices. It will also be an advantage if you sell second-hand cars in the future," said an Athens resident.
Data shows that in the first eight months of this year, the cumulative number of registered and licensed vehicles from various Chinese brands in Greece has exceeded 2,500.
Additionally, 250 Chinese electric buses purchased by Greece were put into service this year in Athens and Thessaloniki, the country's second-largest city, significantly improving public transportation and enhancing the travel experience for residents.
Dimitris Kavvouris, Deputy CEO and Chief Strategy Officer of Syngelidis Automotive Companies, a dealership representing the Chinese EV brand MG, highlighted the brand's success in Greece and Europe, attributing it to its advanced technology and good value, rather than just affordability.
"It is not a matter how cheap they are because they give a great level of technology. Therefore this is what it makes them very successful in the Greek market, in the European market as a whole. So we're very happy that we commercialize the Chinese MG," Kavvouris said.
Chinese EVs gain popularity in Greece
Chinese EVs gain popularity in Greece
Revolution-themed tourism, which refers to visiting historical sites with a modern legacy of the Chinese revolution leading to the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, has attracted more young people so far in the week-long National Day holiday that started on October 1, as many museums and scenic spots have adopted cutting-edge technologies and introduced interactive experiences, injecting new vitality into the preservation and development of "red culture".
"Red culture" refers to the "red legacies" and "red spirit" that have emerged during China's revolution, construction and reform under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, in order to achieve national independence, economic progress, cultural prosperity and national rejuvenation.
The large-scale "red culture" live-action drama "Hong'an Always Red", made its debut during the National Day holiday in Hong'an County of Huanggang City in central China's Hubei Province -- a leading revolutionary base of the CPC in the 1930s.
The production combines real-life props with sound, lighting, and special effects to create an immersive interactive experience.
"Compared to traditional red dramas, it offers a stronger sense of technology and immersion. It allows us, as people living nowadays, to feel as if we were crossing back into that era. I believe our life today is truly hard-won," said Ruan Hongying, a tourist.
Bringing red culture to life has become a common goal for many scenic spots rich in red cultural resources. In Xianfeng County, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hubei Province, during the National Day holiday, many visitors used VR panoramic experience stations to immerse themselves in classic scenes from the Long March of the Red Army.
In Yudu County of Ganzhou City, east China's Jiangxi Province, the large-scale red cultural and tourism epic "The First Crossing of the Long March" is spectacularly performed at the Long March assembly site. Audience members are able to experience an immersive journey through time, reliving the heroic and turbulent years of that historic era.
The Long March was a strategic operation undertaken by the CPC-led Red Army when being pursued by hordes of Kuomintang (KMT) troops between 1934-1936.
The 12,500-kilometer march began with over 80,000 soldiers in Ruijin and Gucheng in Jiangxi Province, and ended in Yan'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province.
In Zibo City of east China's Shandong Province, at the 618 Wartime Radio Station Red Education Base, numerous visitors venture into the deep, dark tunnels to experience that unique period of history.
"I think it is incredibly meaningful for me to visit a Chinese revolution-themed education base during the National Day holiday. I was deeply moved by the spirit of perseverance and hard work of the people at that time, which inspires us young people to forge ahead and keep advancing," said Cui Yujiao, a tourist.
Revolution-themed tourism inspires more young people with advanced technology
