In the first three quarters of this year, my country's auto companies exported 2.117 million vehicles, exceeding the export volume of last year. After exporting 308,000 vehicles in a single month in August, hitting a record high, auto exports in September exceeded 300,000 vehicles again, a year-on-year increase of 73.9%. From January to September, the export of automobile enterprises increased by 55.5% year-on-year. In terms of models, the export of passenger vehicles was 1.696 million units, a year-on-year increase of 60.1%; the export of commercial vehicles was 422,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 39.2%. The export of new energy vehicles was 389,000, a year-on-year increase of more than double.
Chief Executive Officer of Stlantis
With the great strides of new energy vehicles going abroad, Europe and the United States are becoming the two major incremental markets for my country's automobile exports. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, last year, my country's auto exports to Europe increased by 204%, and exports to North America increased by more than 100%.
Some argue that higher tariffs should be imposed on Chinese cars, which are accelerating their forays into Europe. At the core is an unequal overall trade tone.
Stlantis CEO Carlos Tavares, who recently met with major foreign media at the Paris Auto Show, said that tariffs on Chinese-made cars should be raised to the same level as those imposed on European cars exported to China.
He said: "The tariff levied on Chinese cars entering Europe is about 10%, but when European cars are exported to China, tariffs of 15%-25% will be levied. It is this kind of inequality that has led to China's export to Europe. Cars are sufficiently price-competitive."
The CEO of Tavares mentioned that he also had discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron on this issue. According to him, President Macron agreed with the relevant proposition, and it is necessary to deal with relevant issues from the perspective of the EU.
In addition to this, local production in China may be disrupted, he also mentioned. The CEO of Tavares mentioned the "Asset light" of the Puzo-Stroen brand and said that the final decision will be made based on whether to negotiate with its partner Dongfeng Motor. Stlantis had previously withdrawn Jeep's local production facilities in China for the same reason.
Tavares CEO said: "According to this strategy (asset lightening policy), China does not need factories. I don't know if they (China) necessarily need us (Strantis)."
According to foreign media analysis, this is because Stlantis is wary of China's rapidly growing local OEMs. While Chinese EVs in Europe, home of the Stlantis, are growing every year, Stlantis sales in China have languished.
