STORY: Chinese EVs gaining popularity in Iraq
SHOOTING TIME: Nov. 6, 2023
DATELINE: Nov. 8, 2023
LENGTH: 0:01:42
LOCATION: Baghdad
CATEGORY: ECONOMY/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of sales of Chinese EVs in Iraq
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABU KHALID AL-AQILI, Iraqi customer
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): ALI AL-RUBAIE, Sales Manager, Nahj al-Iraq company, an exclusive agent for China's GWM in Iraq
4. various of Iraqi customers

STORYLINE:

The demand for Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in Iraq's automotive market has been increasing during the past few years.

Many Iraqis believe that Chinese EVs feature high quality and affordability.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): ABU KHALID AL-AQILI, Iraqi customer
"Chinese electric cars have entered Iraq, and we have never seen these cars before. We only heard about them. I've come to see the cars and learn about their respectable features. I find that the cars have many benefits from the exterior parts to the ignition system.
The car is of high quality and there is a favorable sales policy for customers, and we also want the car dealers to be generous with us on the prices as Chinese cars have entered the market and succeeded, especially the electric ones. All people like them, and I came today especially for this electric car."

The increasing demand has prompted some Iraqi businessmen to take exclusive selling licenses from Chinese automakers.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): ALI AL-RUBAIE, Sales Manager, Nahj al-Iraq company, an exclusive agent for China's GWM in Iraq
"There is a general purchasing trend towards Chinese cars, and today the largest number of electric cars sold across the world are Chinese cars. So as the brand agent of a Chinese auto company, we want to be in the lead of this global market."

China is the world's largest new energy vehicle (NEV) producer and market. Its NEV sales surged 33.8 percent year on year to top 5 million in the first three quarters of 2023.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Baghdad.
(XHTV)