At the Paris Motor Show (running from October 17 to 23, 2022), Europeans “suddenly noticed” how many Chinese brands have become, especially in the field of electric vehicles. And not everyone is happy with that, and major producers in Europe are demanding urgent action from their governments.
For example, Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, wants higher excise duties on Chinese-made cars to come to Europe, writes Automotive News Europe.
“Very simple, we should ask the European Union to introduce in Europe the same conditions for Chinese manufacturers as we, Western manufacturers, compete in China,” Tavares told reporters on the sidelines of the Paris Motor Show.
That is, Chinese brands now pay a 10% excise duty when importing cars into the European Union, while European car manufacturers pay 15 to 25% when importing European-made cars into China.
Tavares referred to President Macron, with whom he has discussed this and who understands everything, but believes that EU countries should first support this proposal. He is also confident that the Chinese will dump heavily to gain a foothold in the European market. And apparently this is not just his opinion, he just dared to say it out loud.
Expert opinion
Maxim Kadakovyeditor-in-chief of the magazine “Behind the wheel”:
– Everything happens the same as with sneakers and household appliances. Now it’s the turn of cars. Maybe they don’t drive yet, like Mercedes and BMWs, and they don’t yet meet all the requirements that Gift Europeans, but already somewhere very close.
The Chinese do not bother to make one car for 7-8 years. They work according to the principle: is there something wrong with you? Tomorrow we will finish everything, we will make a new model. They’ll take it now – quick updates. And of course the price.
While the Europeans come up with various obstacles for themselves, the Chinese try to get around these obstacles and will pressure them with a proposal. And if Europeans don’t put up the barriers Tavares is talking about, they may have to switch to Chinese cars at some point. Not in the sense that they will be forced, but in the sense that life itself will force them. Because it becomes easier, cheaper and slightly more attractive. In addition, the Chinese have made tremendous progress in the field of electric vehicles and are leaders in battery production.