Stellantis’ relationship with the “invasion” of the Chinese vehicle on the European market has undergone a transformation. Just over a year ago, the group’s CEO Carlos TavaresDrawing on his interviews with various European media outlets, he discussed that there is a “red carpet” for cars coming from the country on the continent. colossal asian and They were asked to equalize the tariffs they were exposed to in China European manufacturers. Now the discourse has changed radically. Tavares no longer wants to raise rates and, as he says, is little aware of the investigation launched by the European Commission due to “strong suspicions” that eastern companies are being subsidized by the government.
The Portuguese calls on us to “be on the winning side”, in his own words, “in the toughest competition we have seen in the history of the industry”. Hence the investment in the manufacturer Leapmotor or the collaboration with the battery leader CATL. But this is not enough. According to him, Stellantis, which has a facility in Vigo, “adapting cost structures to those of Chinese competitors”. And bet on it “Buy many components from Eastern Europe, Morocco or Asia”. “The problem is Europe is not ready for change. “Europe is only pretending to want transformation,” he stressed.
The Portuguese leader, one of the most influential voices in the automotive industry worldwide, did not hold back, as he almost always does when in front of the microphone. In this case it was in an exclusive interview with the German media. Der SpiegelIt was published before the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with CATL but following the $1.5 billion investment in Leapmotor.
Questioned about the contradiction it represents Carlos Tavares, who complained about the mass arrival of Chinese cars and at the same time turned to integrating components from that country or selling its models directly as the group’s fifteenth brand, was outspoken: “We had to be agile in China and change things in our strategy.”.
In addition attack again European Commission Tavares called it “dogmatism without a check on reality” for vetoing the sale of combustion-engine cars in 2035, forcing manufacturers to make this technological breakthrough. Tavares pointed out that the EU was “only” betting on “a very expensive technology”. some customers can afford it.” actually insisted “Producers are exposed to high costs” for the production of zero-emission cars.
Despite Guarantees that Stellantis will be one of the “surviving” companies in this warThis reality responds to the fact that the group is determined to “radically lower” its cost structure by adapting more to the Chinese model. “But Chinese competitors have a several-year advantage over us in electric mobility. “We need to react decisively to shorten distances,” he emphasized.
Recipes
In an interview with German media, Tavares explained that turning to low-cost countries showed that “Stellantis has the ability to change, as in China”, and that he was pursuing a “double strategy”: selling Leapmotor cars “with the company” in Europe. It provides a huge cost advantage” and offers Citroën branded vehicles such as the ë-C3 assembled in Slovakia “for less than 20,000 Euros”. “So we move from victims to profiteers of the Chinese offensive.”, summarized. Of course, the Portuguese also wanted to make it clear that “it had not fallen into enemy hands.” “I’m just making sure Stellantis is on the winning side of the China opening in Europe, not the losing side,” he said.
In his opinion, politicians are “causing enormous difficulties for their own companies” by pitting them against Asians, and he thinks: If the goal is to “improve balance” CO2 The ideal of the “car fleet” is to do this with cars “that the middle class can afford”. For this reason, He gave those with driving force as examples. mild hybrid (MHEV technology, English abbreviation) mild hybrid electric vehicle).
“These emit less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometer, which is much less than a conventional internal combustion engine that needs to be replaced on the road,” he noted, adding that “they are available for less than 20,000 euros.” An already advanced technology as Faro de Vigo from Prensa Ibérica Group, The renewed Peugeot 200 pre-series premiered at Stellantis Vigo8 and will also be incorporated into K9 vans in the future.
“At the same time, larger electric car quotas could be established,” Tavares added. A. “double focus” According to him, this will help this “transformation” and “will not endanger an entire industry with its social consequences.”