The new president of Acea and CEO of the star of the star exposes its doubts about the European strategy linked to the duties. “With protectionism we have a lot to lose.” And relaunches on the possibility of investments in Europe by Chinese brands
The five -year period in which, except for changes or second thoughts, duties will be applied to the import of Chinese electric vehicles in the countries of theEuropean Union The 30 October 2024but in the old continent not all are in favor of a decision already contested by Beijing. At the end of the more black year in the recent history of the German car, with a substantial reduction in investments by some manufacturers and companies in the sector, ads of cuts and a possible closure of several production plants, in fact, the CEO of Mercedes, Ola Källeniusexpressed its opposition to the strategy implemented by Brussels. A clear position by the new president (elected in December 2024) of anAceathe association of representation of European manufacturers, returned to forcefully ask for the implementation of a strong industrial policy of theEUa reduction in administrative charges and the creation of ideal conditions for an autonomous transition guided by the market towards zero emissions mobility.
duties, protectionism and subsidies
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With the application of compensatory duties, the European Union aims to combat (proportionally to the level of collaboration offered) the Chinese electric car car builders who perceive subsidies by the Beijing government. “Nobody disagrees that the Level Playing Field (the request for equal conditions) is a legitimate discussion. The question is: which tool to use? – he said Källenius during an interview with colleagues of Financial Times – Certainly not protectionism, because accelerating (on this front) we have a lot to lose “. According to the Swedish manager, The maintenance of the duties currently applied by the European Union would damage the entire sectoreven in the face of the essential role of a China that has now become an integral part of the global supply chain of the automotive industry, from chips to various types of components, up to raw materials.
European joints and prospects
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During 2024, some important manufacturers of the dragon began to probe the land, entertaining the negotiations with their respective governments (including Italy), to verify the possibility of start the production of vehicles in different EU countries. A way, also, to avoid having to pay the duties on electric vehicles from the East. “When we arrived in China – he added Källenius al Financial Timesremembering what happened in the 1980s – the local authorities summoned us to tell us that if we had wanted to conquer the market, we should have industrialized (opening new factories) on the territory “. According to the CEO of Mercedesthis could be the path to be embedded also on continental level, with greater presence and new investments also by non -European manufacturers. “In addition to opening the markets more – he concludes Källenius – In this way it would be created a larger and fair field as possible, with the possibility of letting the best interpreter of the market win. ” Mercedes has relaunched the goal of becoming a company carbon neutral By 2039, while in Stuttgart it is expected that in 2030 half of the sales of the brand It can be represented by vehicles Full Electric and hybrids. A change of perspective for a company (and a group Daimler) which he has among his majority shareholders Geely and the controlled by the Chinese government Baic.
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