Carlos Tavares, Stellantis’ CEO, has expressed his dissatisfaction with Europe’s strategy of imposing barriers on electric vehicles from China in an attempt to slow their market expansion. Europe has chosen a risky path in its approach to the Chinese automotive sector. The progress of Chinese cars appears unstoppable at this point, with some models already leading sales rankings in specific segments of the European automotive market. This has raised alarms among traditional manufacturers, necessitating a response to the wave of innovations emanating from China, many of which are characterized by competitive pricing.
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, has voiced his disagreement with the strategy adopted in Brussels in response to the surge of Chinese cars
In September of last year, it was revealed that the European Union is considering imposing tariffs on imports of Chinese electric cars. The Chinese automotive industry holds an advantage in electrification, particularly in 100% electric mobility. Many high-end electric car manufacturers have their origins in China. The European Union’s objective is to prevent Chinese electric cars from dominating our markets.
China has swiftly responded to the European tariffs, and unfortunately, we are approaching a “trade war”, the consequences of which will burden citizens. Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, has expressed his disagreement with the strategy adopted in Brussels in response to the influx of Chinese cars and calls for a more global perspective. The leader of one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers warns that competition is beneficial: “Given that we must address global issues, we need to adopt a global mindset. We embrace competition. Initiating an investigation is not the best way to tackle these problems.”
These statements were made during a press conference held in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. This press conference followed the announcement of Stellantis’ acquisition of a 20% stake in the Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor, a transaction valued at approximately 1.5 billion euros. Both companies will establish a joint venture dedicated to exporting, selling, and producing electric vehicles outside of China’s territory. We will see how the situation unfolds.