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A VinFast VF8 electric SUV is displayed during CES 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. January 5, 2022. If fulfilled, Europe would become VinFast's biggest overseas market this year. The company had shipped about 2,100 EVs earlier this year to the United States. Should the EU probe conclude that punitive duties on China-made EVs are warranted, VinFast could find its cars are more competitively priced. VinFast, which is part of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup (VIC.HM), was formed in 2017 and began making EVs in 2021 after dropping its manufacturing of cars with internal combustion engines.

Persons: Steve Marcus, Thuy, Inovev, VinFast, Phuong Nguyen, Francesco Guarascio, Miral Organizations: Las Vegas Convention, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, European Union, Nasdaq, EU, Thomson Locations: Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, Rights HANOI, Europe, France, Germany, Netherlands, VinFast's, Vietnam, United States, Israel, China, Indonesia, India, East, Africa, Latin America

☆ China is bitter medicine for Europe’s EV pivot
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Neil Unmack | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

LONDON, Sept 12 (Reuters Breakingviews) - China can offer a bitter medicine for Europe’s bold electric vehicle pivot. That has prompted carmakers to develop premium e-cars for richer punters, rather than mass market vehicles. More competition from Chinese carmakers should help bring down prices of electric vehicles in Europe. It will force Western players to keep cutting costs to avoid losing too much market share, boosting overall e-car adoption. Sales of EVs picked up in August, with Jefferies analysts estimating a total market share across Europe of 23%.

Persons: Oliver Zipse, Olaf Scholz, carmakers, Morgan Stanley, Encouragingly, BYD, ”, EVs, Lisa Jucca, Oliver Taslic, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Volkswagen, European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association, HK, Norway, BMW, Reuters Graphics, Jato Dynamics, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, BYD, Renault, UBS reckons, Financial, Electric, European Union, Jefferies, Thomson Locations: China, Europe, Italy, Europe’s, Germany, Norway, Latvia, Bulgaria, Britain, Polo . China, Western, EU

☆ China's Xpeng says German carmakers ready to tackle crisis as EV race hots up
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMUNICH, Sept 6 (Reuters) - German carmakers are ready to tackle their worst crisis, an executive at Chinese EV maker Xpeng said on Wednesday, as China's carmakers expand overseas, putting pressure on Europe in the race to electrify. Globally, China leads EV sales, the latest data from tech industry researcher Counterpoint shows. The U.S. has the fastest growing EV sales with Germany in third place. "The Chinese companies are flooding into overseas markets like mushrooms, deepening their sense of crisis," Gu said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said EV competition from abroad should be a spur, not a worry for German carmakers.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Hildegard Mueller, Markus Soeder, Angelika Warmuth, Xpeng, Brian Gu, Gu, Jia Jianxu, Zheng, Zhang Yan, Victoria Waldersee, Josephine Mason, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: German Association of, Automotive, REUTERS, Rights, HK, IAA, EV, Germany, Reuters, Volkswagen, SAIC, Xuanyuan Academy, Germany's IAA, New Energy Vehicle Congress, Gang, Thomson Locations: Bavarian, Munich, Germany, Europe, Xpeng, China, U.S, Britain, France

☆ China's Xpeng says German carmakers ready to tackle crisis in EV race
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Globally, China leads EV sales, the latest data from tech industry researcher Counterpoint shows. The U.S. has the fastest growing EV sales with Germany in third place. Chinese companies including Xpeng, BYD and Leapmotor (9863.HK) are seeking the higher margins and faster growth overseas markets can offer, which means they are challenging European companies on their home turf with cheaper models. "The Chinese companies are flooding into overseas markets like mushrooms, deepening their sense of crisis," Gu said. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said EV competition from abroad should be a spur, not a worry for German carmakers.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Hildegard Mueller, Markus Soeder, Angelika Warmuth, Xpeng, China's carmakers, Brian Gu, Gu, Mueller, ” Gu, “, ”, Jia Jianxu, Zheng, Zhang Yan, Victoria Waldersee, Josephine Mason, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: German Association of, Automotive, REUTERS, Rights, HK, IAA, Automotive Industry, EV, Germany, Reuters, Volkswagen, SAIC, Xuanyuan Academy, Germany's IAA, New Energy Vehicle Congress, Gang, Thomson Locations: Bavarian, Munich, Germany, Europe, China, U.S, Britain, France

[1/6] A view shows model TO3 of Leapmotor, a Chinese automobile manufacturer, displayed during an event a day ahead of the official opening of the 2023 Munich Auto Show IAA Mobility, in Munich, Germany, September 4, 2023. Chinese EV makers, including BYD (002594.SZ), Nio (9866.HK) and Xpeng (9868.HK) are all targeting Europe's EV market, where sales soared nearly 55% to about 820,000 vehicles in the first seven months of 2023, making up about 13% of all car sales. The arrival of Chinese EV makers in Europe has raised concerns they could dominate EV sales. Xpeng President Brian Gu said while European carmakers currently lag behind China, they have made a "huge commitment" to EVs with partnerships and large investments in technology. "I would never discount the large (carmakers) trying really hard to come back and focus on this important transition," Gu said.

Persons: Leonhard Simon, Luca de Meo, De Meo, Hildegard Mueller, Oliver Zipse, Oliver Blume, Brian Gu, Gu, Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, Dudenhoeffer, Nick Carey, Victoria Waldersee, Gilles Gillaume Christina Amann, Zoey Zhang, Jan Schwartz, Friederike Heine, Clarence Fernandez, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, China EV, Renault, Reuters, HK, Europe's EV, Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology, EV, German Association of, Automotive Industry, Jato Dynamics, BMW, Benz, Klasse, Volkswagen, Auto, Thomson Locations: Munich, Germany, China, MUNICH, BYD, Zhejiang, Europe, Asia

A Renault wallbox charging station is used by a Renault Captur hybrid car at a dealership in Les Sorinieres, near Nantes, France, October 23, 2020. Chinese EV makers, including BYD (002594.SZ), Nio (9866.HK) and Xpeng (9868.HK) are all targeting Europe's EV market, where sales soared nearly 55% to about 820,000 vehicles in the first seven months of 2023, making up about 13% of all car sales. The arrival of Chinese EV makers in Europe has raised concerns they will undercut local carmakers and dominate EV sales. Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) will present its CLA compact class and BMW (BMWG.DE) its Neue Klasse, both of which target higher range and efficiency, while halving production costs. Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) CEO Oliver Blume told reporters that through its partnerships in China, the carmaker aims to cut battery cell costs by 50%.

Persons: Stephane Mahe, Luca de Meo, De Meo, Fabian Brandt, Oliver Wyman, Gilles Le Borgne, Oliver Blume, " Blume, Nick Carey, Victoria Waldersee, Gilles Gillaume, Christina Amann, Friederike Heine, Clarence Fernandez, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Renault, REUTERS, China EV, Reuters, HK, Europe's EV, EV, Jato Dynamics, Benz, BMW, Klasse, Volkswagen, Greenpeace, Protesters, Thomson Locations: Les Sorinieres, Nantes, France, China, MUNICH, BYD, Europe, Munich, Asia

Western automakers are rattled, with Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Peugeot-to-Fiat carmaker Stellantis (STLAM.MI), warning last month of an "invasion" of cheap Chinese EVs in Europe. But Chinese brands are likely to struggle to sell cars in Europe as cheaply as at home. CONSUMER TRUSTWhile some Chinese brands, such as MG, are well known in Europe, others like XPeng (9868.HK) and Nio need to build trust. Surveys indicate most potential EV buyers in Europe do not recognise Chinese brands. But among those aware of Chinese brands, 1% or fewer would consider buying one.

Persons: Annegret, Carlos Tavares, Chen Shihua, ” Shihua, Spiros Fotinos, Alexander Klose, BYD, Geely’s Lynk, Tesla, Aiways, Zeekr's Fotinos, ” Fotinos, Klose, Victoria Waldersee, Zhang Yan, Gilles Gillaume, Giulio Piovaccari, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, HK, Allianz . Western, Peugeot, Fiat, EV, New Energy Vehicle, Jato Dynamics, Logistics, Geely, South Korean, YouGov, GAC, Victoria, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, Europe, BERLIN, China, Beijing, Munich, Milan

Delivering affordable electric vehicles (EVs) has become a priority for car makers worldwide as the shift to cleaner driving has come with high prices, due largely to battery costs. In 2022, Chinese car makers had a 9% share of Europe's EV market, nearly double the previous year's figure, according to forecasts by consultancy Inovev. Tavares said Western car makers needed to use "the same weapons" as their Chinese rivals, sourcing parts in lower cost countries and striking partnerships with battery suppliers that offer the best combination of energy, cost and weight. Once-dominant Western automakers are also striving to regain ground in China itself, the world's largest car market, after losing share to local manufacturers. Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) said on Thursday it was sticking to its strategy and would not engage in a price war to "buy" market share in China.

Persons: France's, Thierry Pieton, Luca de Meo, Tesla, Carlos Tavares, Tavares, Mercedes, Ola Kaellenius, Kaellenius, Victoria Waldersee, Silvia Aloisi, Mark Potter Organizations: Western, France's Renault, Finance, Renault, SAIC, Inovev, Jato, Tesla, Peugeot, Fiat, Benz, Mercedes, Thomson Locations: Europe, U.S, Western, China, Berlin

☆ China's Zeekr launches electric SUV, targets Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Zoey ZhangCHENGDU, China, April 12 (Reuters) - Chinese electric vehicle maker Zeekr on Wednesday launched a compact, all-electric sport utility vehicle, as it targeted a premium market in China that has been dominated by German automakers. The Geely-owned [RIC:RIC:GEELY.UL] brand said it also planned to offer the SUV-styled Zeekr X and its Zeekr 001 EV sedan in Western Europe without saying when that would be. The company will start delivering the Zeekr X in China from June with a target of delivering 40,000 this year, An said. After Europe, Zeekr will target Asian markets outside China, An said without providing details. It sold 15,234 of its two existing models - the 001 sedan and the 009 multi-purpose vehicle - in the first quarter, accounting for just 2% of China's battery electric vehicle sales.

☆ UK car targets count on the kindness of strangers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, March 30 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The UK has followed the European Union in watering down plans to phase out fossil fuel cars – sort of. UK car production has roughly halved since the Brexit vote to just 900,000 cars last year, according to Inovev data. The shift to electric vehicles will see carmakers want robust local battery supply chains and cheap energy, in which the UK is lagging. Sunak on Thursday announced support for the energy transition, and hinted at more money for carmakers “in the coming months”. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

LONDON/HONG KONG, Feb 1 (Reuters Breakingviews) - China has been a golden goose for western carmakers like Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE). Chinese groups like electric vehicle leader BYD (002594.SZ), (1211.HK) are targeting foreign markets. At JATO’s estimate of 56,000 euros, the average price of an electric vehicle in Europe is still too high for most punters. The lower cost of manufacturing in China may help Chinese carmakers absorb tariffs, while western groups could suffer from reprisals. The result may be that western groups have to jostle for a smaller place in their home markets but also cut prices, hurting profitability.

☆ UK’s giga fail is economic not environmental
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The collapse of a key battery manufacturer probably doesn’t compromise the government’s plan for the country to switch to electric vehicles. Its failure, however, knocks some 30 gigawatt hours out of Britain’s future battery manufacturing industry, over half of Britain’s forecast capacity by 2030 according to the Faraday Institution. The government’s plans to phase out new sales of internal combustion engines by 2030 can probably survive, thanks to imports from the likes of China’s BYD (002594.SZ), (1211.HK). But boosting battery production for a domestic industry will be hard, given Britain’s lack of raw materials and trade barriers with Europe. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

☆ China has a 10,000 euro cost advantage in small EVs, auto supplier says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Joseph White | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The issue is "more dangerous" for Europe than the United States, Koller told Reuters in an interview, as high duties have limited China's U.S. market share. Koller said Chinese EV makers can produce vehicles for less because they have lower research and development costs, lower levels of capital spending and lower labour costs than rivals in Europe. Forvia, the company created when French auto supplier Faurecia took 82% control of German supplier Hella, is the seventh largest automotive component maker in the world. By contrast, high duties in the United States on Chinese-made vehicles have so far kept China's share of the U.S. auto market negligible. Koller said Forvia will invest more in the United States, in part to take advantage of federal incentives provided in the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law in August.

☆ Chinese carmakers target more European sales with five-star EVs
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Nick Carey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

"All Chinese EV makers want to achieve Euro NCAP five-star ratings in order to be more competitive in the European market," said Brian Gu, president of Chinese EV maker Xpeng (9868.HK). Perhaps more importantly for sales, high safety ratings also open up the potentially huge corporate car fleet market for Chinese EV makers. European carmakers are also pursuing five-star ratings for their EVs and hybrids, from BMW's (BMWG.DE) iX to Volkswagen's (VOWG_p.DE) ID.4 and ID.5. But almost half the Chinese cars sold were EVs, according to Inovev, giving them a 5.8% share of Europe's fully-electric vehicle market. Inovev vice-president Jamel Taganza said all Chinese cars sold in Europe would be EVs within a few years, with more lower-cost models on the way.

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