Alarm bells sound in Brussels as EU sales of Chinese hybrid cars rocket
The European Union is expressing concern over a significant surge in imports of Chinese-made hybrid vehicles. This trend follows the implementation of EU tariffs on fully electric vehicles, leading to fears regarding the competitiveness of European automakers.
Why it matters
The shift in import patterns highlights the challenges of trade policy in the automotive sector and the potential for future trade disputes between the EU and China.
Chinese made BYD passenger battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles await distribution at the docks. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Chinese made BYD passenger battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles await distribution at the docks. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Automotive industry Alarm bells sound in Brussels as EU sales of Chinese hybrid cars rocket Explosive growth in imported vehicles omitted from EV tariffs fuels concern for future of European carmakers
EU imports three times more from China than bloc exports there
Prefer the Guardian on Google Sales of Chinese hybrid cars have rocketed in the EU in the past four and a half years, new data shows, underlining growing concerns in Brussels over the future of the European car industry.
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