The Chinese manufacturer announced plans last month to bring its Seagull hatchback to Europe next year. The car offers premium features like a rotating touch screen and wireless phone charging and sells for less than US$10 000 in China. Even after tariffs and modifications to meet European standards, BYD executives expect to sell the Seagull for less than $21 500 on the continent.
“We are looking very closely at this model and others coming from Chinese EV makers,” said Martin Sander, head of Ford’s European EV business. “Of course, we are nervous when new competition is coming to the market.” Mexico “is not great for us, but in the end we found a lot of demand, a lot of heat for this”, BYD executive vice president Stella Li said at an event last week in the capital, unveiling a plug-in hybrid bakkie for the Mexican market.BYD is in the vanguard of Chinese car makers that are increasingly targeting exports after seizing control of their home market. Tesla CEO Elon Musk warned in January they’ll “pretty much demolish” most other car makers if trade barriers aren’t erected.
“Tariffs should not be used to shield our lead manufacturers from meaningful competition,” said Julia Poliscanova, senior director for vehicles and e-mobility supply chains at lobby group Transport & Environment. “What matters on top of climate targets, which are critical, is actually to have local jobs and for decarbonisation not to result in deindustrialisation.”
Tavares has long emphasised acting swiftly to counter foes. The deal with Leapmotor, forged in October, allows the Jeep and Peugeot owner to benefit from China’s cost advantages and advanced EV technology, which the US and EU have said has been propped up by unfair government aid. While the overall share of Chinese brands in Europe’s electric market was around 7% last year, Transport & Environment projects they could reach 11% this year and 20% in 2027.
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