MG, BYD, Zeekr, Aiways, Seres, Lynk&Co: in recent months, Chinese car manufacturers have made a remarkable arrival in France, as they have in Europe. It must be said that the ban on thermal cars after 2035 opened a red carpet for them. Chinese engineers own electrical technology and control the value chain (batteries, chips, components, etc.). The conclusion is clear: In 2023, 4.1 million Chinese cars were exported worldwide ! We don’t yet have data for the European market alone, but these results reflect China’s incredible influence on the automotive sector: it overtook Japan for the first time as a leading exporter of cars (3.6 million cars left the archipelago in 2023). This was even calculated by PwC by 2025, 800,000 Chinese cars will be imported to the Old Continent.

Anti-competitive, Chinese manufacturers?

It will not only be about “Chinese-Chinese” brands, because according to estimates, approx 40% of the cars in question will be foreign brands (Renault, Tesla, BMW, etc.) but collected there. To calm China’s ardor, therefore, the European Commission seeks to limit the access of Chinese manufacturers to the European market. as? Trying to prove it the Chinese government illegally subsidizes its car manufacturers which are installed in Europe. In an investigation opened in October 2023, the Commission is genuinely concerned that “ these subsidies cause or threaten to cause economic injury to EU producers “. However, apart from MG, very competitive in price, The price of most Chinese manufacturers corresponds to or exceeds the price of the European market. On the other hand, they are very aggressive about discounts, “environmental bonuses”, special conditions. The tightening of the rules for our French bonus proved that…

The European Union begins inspections

This was reported by the Reuters agency today The commission will begin “inspections” at the head offices of several manufacturers, in China. Especially cited BYD, Geely and MG Motor. The investigators will, in particular, try to determine whether the origin of the funds is transparent and not anti-competitive for European producers. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission, said a few months ago: Whenever we find that their efforts are hampered by market distortions and unfair competition, we will act decisively. And we will do it in full compliance with our European and international obligations. “.

A spokesperson for the Chinese government reacted to this new procedure, expressing regret “about the lack of sufficient evidence to support this hypothesis.” According to him, these inspections ” do not meet the relevant WTO rules, and China is very unhappy “. The EU against China, the confrontation has officially begun.

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