Car makers are closely watching developments after the EC decided to impose provisional duties on imports of electric cars manufactured in China, based on initial findings of an anti-subsidy investigation initiated last year.
ACEA has consistently affirmed that free and fair trade is essential in creating a globally competitive European automotive industry, while healthy competition drives innovation and choice for consumers.
Free and fair trade means guaranteeing a level playing field for all competitors, but it is just one important part of the global competitiveness puzzle. “What the European automotive sector needs above all else to be globally competitive is a robust industrial strategy for electromobility,” stated ACEA Director General, Sigrid de Vries.
“This means ensuring access to critical materials and affordable energy, a coherent regulatory framework, sufficient charging and hydrogen refilling infrastructure, market incentives, and so much more.”
The investigation will continue for several months until the Commission decides whether to propose definitive anti-subsidy measures. Member states will then vote on such a proposal.
A spokesman for the Chinese government said they will carefully consider their response to the EC actions and it could also affect models made in the Far East for traditional or historic European car makers.
BMW assembles iX2 and MINI models in China for example, but others also buy components from China which could be affected by any duties designed to protect EU parts makers if the Chinese decided to withhold parts.
