It's often been said that China would struggle to produce gas cars that could meet emissions and performance requirements for Western markets. Hybrids could bypass that in that the electric part could be responsible for most of the performance and the gas engine could be something specialized that always works under controlled engines, which might let them make a competitive car.

China is being forced to sell hybrids because of punitive tariffs on EVs while indigenous auto makers scramble to catch up. EVs are selling much better than hybrids inside the China itself.