Earlier this month, the European Union imposed import duties on Chinese electric vehicles that could reach up to 48 percent. Chinese manufacturers are therefore looking for European partners. In Barcelona, the Chinese Chery is collaborating with the Spanish Ebro. Chery hopes to start production there at the end of this year and is looking for a second location in Europe.
In Poland, T03 cars from Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor are assembled at a factory owned by Jeep and Fiat producer Stellantis. BYD has announced plans to have its own factories in Hungary and Turkey. And Volvo Car, the Swedish carmaker owned by China’s Geely, wants to build its new EX30 model in Ghent.
Europe is a lucrative EV market for Chinese manufacturers, although they have so far captured less than 10 percent of the market. European countries would like producers to come. Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso recently traveled to China for talks with manufacturers Anhui Jianghuai and Dongfeng.