Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius says automakers need to hunker down if they want to beat the Chinese. Ford's CEO, meanwhile, called the Chinese auto industry an "existential threat" after a visit to the country in May. When it comes to competing in the EV market, Western automakers have been left playing a game of catch-up with the Chinese. Chinese automakers like BYD have been expanding into Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, as well as developing markets like Brazil and Mexico. The crippling trade restrictions effectively shut them out of the US auto market.

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Persons: Ola Källenius, Källenius, —, Mercedes, isn't, Jim Farley, Farley wasn't, Farley, John Lawler, Lawler Organizations: Mercedes, Benz, Service, Ford, Berlin Global, EV, Källenius, Business Insider, Wall Street, Changan Automobile, Research, BI, European Union, Financial Times Locations: China, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Western