Chinese-made electric vehicles pose a significant risk to Western European automakers, with potential annual losses in profits totaling billions by the end of the decade. A detailed assessment cited by Automotive News Europe references a report from Allianz, the German insurance group, highlighting the mounting pressure from imports sourced from China.
The analysis urges European policymakers to take decisive steps. It suggests imposing mutual tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to balance trade dynamics, investing in the development of European materials and technologies for traction battery production, and permitting Chinese automotive manufacturers to set up production in Europe. These policy shifts are framed as essential to safeguarding European industry while stabilizing the region’s competitive position in the electric vehicle market.
Looking ahead to 2030, Allianz Trade projects that electric vehicle imports from China could exceed €24 billion, representing roughly 0.15 percent of the European Union’s GDP. The impact would be even more pronounced for Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, where the imports could account for about 0.3 percent of GDP. The broader implication is that energy and manufacturing supply chains may face scrutiny as Europe weighs the balance between opening markets and protecting domestic capacity. The estimate from Allianz Trade, while acknowledging potential costs to the region, underscores the need for strategic investments and policy clarity to manage this transition smoothly.
In related automotive developments, Porsche has previously been linked to plans involving Mobileye’s active safety features and its autonomous driving system, signaling ongoing efforts to integrate advanced driver assistance and autonomous technologies within established vehicle lines. This backdrop illustrates how European brands are navigating a rapidly changing tech landscape while assessing collaborations that could redefine performance, safety, and user experience for future models.