As the invasion of China-made cars gathers speed, LifeStyle checks around to see what drove some Singaporeans to prefer them.

Price

Edmund Koh, 67, a retired bank officer, paid $43,700 for his Geely CK in November last year. Mr Koh, who has previously owned a Proton Saga and Nissan Sunny, among others, says: "I would have had to pay more than $50,000 for a similar sedan from brands like Hyundai, Mazda and Suzuki."

Frugal on fuel

Contractor Abdul Malek Hassan, 60, who switched to a Geely CK last December from a Hyundai Getz, says: "Before, I would usually get 12km per litre of petrol with a 1,300cc engine, but now with a 1,500cc, I get around 14 to 15km per litre."

Looks

Technical officer Collin Luke Lowe, 31, who test-drove a Naza Bestari last November, enthuses: "From the inside to the outside, the car looks like a (French) Peugeot."

The car should be available in Singapore later this year, according to distributor Nascar Singapore.

Mr Koh, meanwhile, says of his Geely CK: "People have been quite impressed with my car. They don't know where it's from. The logo even looks like BMW's."

First-time car owner Thomas Lin, 25, a service adviser with European marque Audi, paid $18,000 for an off-peak red Chery QQ (right) last September. He declares: "I like the fresh and cute look. Many people pass remarks saying the car is cute."

Roomy

Mr Lin says of the QQ: "It has more legroom than other cars like the Perodua Kelisa."

Customer service officer Sallehuddin Mohamed, 28, paid a mere $22,200 for an off-peak Geely CK last December.

The proud owner says: "The boot is big. I have a five-month toddler and I can fit her stroller in, go shopping and not worry about space. I think two people can fit inside the boot."