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☆ Peru ex-President Toledo convicted of bribe-taking, sentenced to 20 years in prison
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-22 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Toledo, a 78-year-old economist who holds a doctorate from Stanford University, governed the Andean nation between 2001 and 2006. Peruvian former President Alejandro Toledo was convicted of taking bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht and sentenced to 20 years and six months in prison on Monday. During the year-long trial, Toledo denied the money-laundering and collusion charges. The sentence was announced in a room set up in a small Lima prison where Toledo has been detained since last year. Prosecutors relied on testimony from former Odebrecht executive Jorge Barata as well as Toledo's ex-collaborator Josef Maiman, who said Toledo received bribes.

Persons: Alejandro Toledo, Roberto Su, Toledo, Pedro Castillo, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, Ollanta Humala, Jorge Barata, Josef Maiman Organizations: Stanford University, Odebrecht Locations: Lima , Peru, Brazil, Toledo, Peruvian, Lima, United States, Peru

☆ Auto giants launch a flurry of cheaper electric vehicles — taking the fight to China
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Sam Meredith | In Samuelmeredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Carlos Tavares, chief executive officer of Stellantis NV, beside a Citroen C5 Aircross Concept automobile at the Paris Motor Show in Paris, France, on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. So, Citroen, Peugeot [and] Renault, they are all showing some smaller affordable models," Poliscanova said. The partly covered wheel of a BYD Co. electric vehicle at the Paris Motor Show in Paris, France, on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. "This year in Europe, we did not have affordable models, so people are not buying those overpriced premium vehicles. Not that many full electric vehicles in Europe for less than that price," he added.

Persons: Carlos Tavares, Julia Poliscanova, Poliscanova, carmaker, Environment's Poliscanova, JATO, Denis Le Vot, CNBC's Charlotte Reed, Le Vot Organizations: Stellantis, Citroen, Paris, Bloomberg, Getty, Europe's, Transport & Environment, CNBC, Peugeot, Renault, carmaker Renault, Tech, Auto, Parc des, Chesnot, U.S, Beijing, Dacia, EV Locations: Paris, France, PARIS, Europe, China, Dacia, EVs, Parc, U.S

☆ Why the European Union's tariffs on Chinese automakers may not work
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-14 | by ( Robert Ferris | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

By the end of October, the European Union will make a final decision on what some analysts call the biggest EU trade case against China in more than a decade. But automakers and countries are divided over whether to place tariffs — so far of up to 36.3% — on Chinese electric vehicles. A German automotive trade association says they would hurt German automakers, which have a significant presence in China. China has been exporting cars to countries all around the globe, and both supporters of tariffs and trade and industry analysts point to China's support for its domestic manufacturers as a rationale for imposing tariffs. Chinese automakers can produce a car for about $5,500, said Felipe Muñoz, senior analyst for JATO Dynamics, while it costs European automakers closer to $20,000.

Persons: William Reinsch, Scholl, Felipe Muñoz, Muñoz, It's Organizations: European Union, China, Business, Center for Strategic, International Studies, JATO Dynamics Locations: European, China, Germany, Washington ,

Trade groups say Chinese electric vehicles pose an "existential threat" to the U.S. auto industry. But faced with a growing preference for hybrids at home and a brutal price war, Chinese automakers want to export more vehicles abroad. "It's hard to process that because we don't see Chinese cars on American roads," said Dunne Insights founder and CEO Michael Dunne. You're going to see Chinese cars all over the place." So how do Chinese EVs stack up?

Persons: Dunne, Michael Dunne, Eunice Yoon Organizations: U.S, Tesla, JATO Dynamics, CNBC Locations: China, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Israel, South Africa, U.S, CNBC Beijing

☆ Chinese automakers overtake U.S. rivals in sales for the first time, report shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese brands, led by Shenzhen-based BYD, sold 13.4 million new vehicles last year, while American brands sold about 11.9 million, the data showed. Japanese brands led with 23.59 million sales. "Negligence from legacy automakers, which has resulted in consistently high car prices, has inadvertently driven consumers toward more affordable Chinese alternatives," Jato senior analyst Felipe Munoz said in the report. Brands from China have made particular inroads in emerging economies, where Jato said one in five new car sales were made last year amid increased global demand. That is more than the total sales in the U.S. or Europe during the year," said Munoz.

Persons: Felipe Munoz, Jato, Munoz Organizations: Automotive, Jato Dynamics, Brands Locations: Lianyungang Port, Jiangsu Province, China, U.S, Shenzhen, Europe

☆ Opinion: Trump is now in a club no one ever wants to be part of — convicted former leaders
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Opinion Chris Good | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The criminal trial and conviction of (mostly former) national leaders has happened in stable, mature democracies, just as it has in former dictatorships. The track record of convicted leaders shows just how risky it is to try to predict what will happen. In 2017, South Korea impeached and later criminally convicted now-former President Park Geun-hye in a bizarre corruption scandal involving the influence of a friend and confidante. After a scandal emerged involving the state oil company Petrobras, Lula was convicted in 2017 of corruption and money laundering. “Political leaders can choose how they will speak about these institutions.”

Persons: Chris Good, Donald Trump, —, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Sebastian Kurz, ” Kurz, Park, “, Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Nicolas Sarkozy, Bertrand Guay, Bibbins Sedaca, Jacques Chirac, ” Bibbins Sedaca, Sarkozy, Moammar Gaddhafi illicitly, Silvio Berlusconi, Yara Nardi, Berlusconi “, ”, Berlusconi, Matteo Salvini, Giorgia Meloni, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Nelson Almeida, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Lula, Jair Bolsonaro, Oliver Stuenkel, Fundação Getulio Vargas, ” Stuenkel, Politicization, Stuenkel, didn’t, Lula “, Mark Peterson, Ariel Edwards, Levy, Lula —, Chirac, Trump’s Organizations: CNN, ABC News, Economist Intelligence Unit, Freedom House, Getty, Freedom, Reuters, Forza Italia, Five Star, AFP, Brazil, Petrobras, Bolsonaro, School of International Relations, Fundação, NEW, Manhattan Criminal, Trump, Twitter, Facebook Locations: The, Manhattan, Argentina, Austrian, South Korea, Washington, DC, France, Italy, Brazil, Paris, AFP, Moroccan, Milan, Trump, America, São Paulo

[1/6] Ola electric scooters are seen outside the Ola Electric Service Centre, in Thane on the outskirts of Mumbai, India, October 25, 2023. Aggarwal's Ola Electric, which he likens to Tesla in the West, is zipping towards a stock-market listing after going from zero to 338,000 e-scooter sales in about two years. But he acknowledged service capacity issues and said Ola was "aggressively" bolstering its service network by adding 100 new centres and hiring more technicians. 'TESLA FOR WEST, OLA FOR REST'Aggarwal often declares, "Tesla is for the West, Ola for the rest", and he's a man in a hurry. "Electric vehicles are new to people so they aren't aware of how to ride the vehicle to maximise optimal output," he said.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, it's, Elon Musk, Aggarwal's Ola, Tesla, Ola, Devendra Ghuge, Aggarwal, Ola EVs, Ravi Bhatia, Bhatia, Japan's SoftBank, Ronald Radhakrishnan, Koradia, Riddhima Talwani, Aditi Shah, Rishika Sadam, Sriram, Arpan Chaturvedi, Anushree, Pandya, Francis Mascerehnas, Varun Vyas, Munsif, Jatindra, Saurabh Sharma, Sumit Khanna, Jose Devasia, Aditya Kalra Organizations: Ola Electric Service Centre, REUTERS, Staff, Reuters, JATO Dynamics, WEST, OLA, West, Singapore's Temasek, Industry, Hero Electric, TVS, EV, Ola, Fayaz Bukhari, Thomson Locations: Thane, Mumbai, India, THANE, HYDERABAD, DELHI, MUMBAI, Chennai, Bengaluru, India's, U.S, China, Kochi, New Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jose, Srinagar

[1/2] A Tesla electric vehicle is plugged to a charger in a parking lot in Teia, north of Barcelona, Spain, October 31, 2023. High interest rates and a subdued market are putting customers off, they warned, with Volkswagen's EV order intake half what it was last year. Reuters GraphicsFALLING BEHINDCritics have long warned that a lack of affordable EVs would eventually stall the steep sales growth boosted by early adopters and corporate fleets. A weaker performance in September, consumer sentiment surveys and bleak commentary from carmakers and dealers indicates that low growth era may have arrived. "We call it the valley of death, which we will be going through in 2024 to 2027: low residual values, high supply, and low demand," Nothard added.

Persons: Albert Gea, EVs, Thomas Niedermayer, Flavia Garcia, Tom Carvell, Martina, AutoTrader, Garcia, We'll, Critics, Felipe Munoz, Alistair Bedwell, Langston, Ben DuCharme, Philip Nothard, Nothard, Victoria Waldersee, Nick Carey, Giulio Piovaccari, Paul Lienert, Sumanta Sen, Alexander Smith Organizations: REUTERS, Tesla, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Benz, Reuters Graphics Dealers, Toyota, HK, Reuters Graphics, Ford, GM, United Auto Worker, JATO Dynamics, Langston, Cox Automotive, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spain, LONDON, Europe, Germany, Italy, Bavarian, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, BYD, Nio, U.S, Rome, Detroit

The source, who declined to be named, did not say when production would begin. A general view shows the Tesla logo on the Gigafactory in Gruenheide near Berlin, Germany, August 30, 2022. At the same meeting, he informed staff of plans to build the 25,000-euro vehicle there, the source said. German union IG Metall said in 2022 that Tesla wages were around 20% below those offered under collective bargaining agreements at other carmakers. ($1 = 0.9315 euros)Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Editing by Rachel More, Bernadette Baum and Emelia Sithole-MatariseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Musk, Tesla, Annegret, Elon Musk, Europe's, Metall, Victoria Waldersee, Rachel More, Bernadette Baum, Emelia Organizations: Staff, JATO Dynamics, Reuters, Volkswagen, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Berlin, United States, Europe, China, Gruenheide, Germany

☆ The world needs cheap electric cars. That spells trouble for Big Auto
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The world needs affordable EVs more than ever as electric cars will play a big role in hcelping countries cut planet-heating pollution. “When legacy [carmakers] talk about catching up to Tesla or catching up to the leading Chinese automakers, it’s difficult. It is by far the world’s biggest EV battery manufacturer and dominant in the supply and processing of many critical components needed to make the batteries. Global automakers have had little choice but to enter into joint ventures with Chinese EV and battery manufacturers. EU lawmakers have voiced concerns that government subsidies allow Chinese EV makers to keep prices artificially low, creating unfair competition for European rivals.

Persons: Henry Ford’s, carmaking, Jeff Kowalsky, ”, Gene Munster, Tesla, — Tesla, —, Patrick Hummel, Krisztian Bocsi, Ford, “ It’s, ” Dan Ives, Bill Pugliano, Daniel Röska, Bernstein, China …, Marco Rubio, “ They’re, Bill Ford, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria Organizations: London CNN —, Ford Motor Company, Toyota, Volkswagen, United, Getty, Deepwater Asset Management, Volkswagen Group, Audi, Porsche, Chrysler, Jeep, Ford, General Motors, International Energy Agency, Honda, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, Benz, BMW —, Investment, UBS, EV, Atlas Public, VW, Bloomberg, Reuters, Twitter, Stellantis, Wedbush Securities, CNN, United Auto Workers, Refining, Global, Republican, European Union, EU, Jato Dynamics Locations: Europe, United States, Dearborn , Michigan, AFP, China, Japan, South Korea, Asia, US, Germany, ” Munster, Munster, Lansing , Michigan, Michigan, Beijing, America

☆ Jefferies says this Latin American oil giant is underappreciated and can rally more than 35%
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Hakyung Kim | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

For Brazilian oil and natural gas giant Petrobras , Jefferies says to "let the assets do the talking." It believes its pre-salt oil portfolio offshore Brazil gives it one of the strongest asset bases among global energy names — but shares are currently trading at a 30% discount to its peers. The market underappreciates PBR's high margin pre-salt assets & cash returns ability in an US$80/bbl oil world," analyst Alejandro Anibal Demichelis wrote in a Thursday note. Jefferies' set a $21.20 price target on shares, which implies nearly 38% upside potential from Wednesday's close. In comparison, other international oil companies have an average of 11% shareholder distribution yields and 5% dividend yields, according to Demichelis.

Persons: Jefferies, Alejandro Anibal Demichelis, Demichelis, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Petrobras, bbl, PBR's CF, PBR, West Texas Locations: Brazil

☆ EU to investigate 'flood' of Chinese electric cars, weighing tariffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

"Global markets are now flooded with cheaper electric cars. It is also unusual in that it is brought by the European Commission itself, rather than in response to an industry complaint. GRINDING GEARSThe influx of cheaper Chinese electric vehicles has already prompted some European carmakers to take action. At the same time Von der Leyen stressed the importance of electric vehicles to the EU's ambitious environmental objectives. The founder of Nio warned in April that Chinese EV makers should brace for the possibility that foreign governments would impose protectionist policies.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, BYD, EVs, Nio, Mercedes Benz, Stellantis, France's, Tesla, VDA, Von der Leyen, Simone Tagliapietra, Kingsmill Bond, Foo Yun Chee, Philip Blenkinsop, Kim Miyoung, Brenda Goh, Anne Marie Roantree, Nick Carey, Kate Abnett, Gabriela Baczynska, Louise Heavens Organizations: EU, Investigation, European EV, European Commission, European Union, Renault, BMW, HK, China Passenger Car Association, Dynamics, Volvo, EV, VW, France's Renault, Japan, Rocky Mountain Institute, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Brussels, China, Moscow, Ukraine, Germany, France, Europe, U.S

Brussels/London CNN —The European Union is launching an investigation into China’s state support for makers of electric vehicles as soaring imports of their cars stoke fears for the future of European auto manufacturers. “So I can announce today that the commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China.”Europe levies a duty of 10% on cars imported from China. That compares with duty of 27.5% in the United States, and China’s manufacturers have taken advantage to carve out a significant and rapidly growing foothold in the European market. And in the last five years, EU imports of Chinese cars have quadrupled. The European Commission investigation could lead to the imposition of tariffs on Chinese EV imports, and von der Leyen’s announcement rattled the stocks of China’s biggest EV companies listed in Hong Kong.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, “, ” von der Leyen, von der, Warren Buffett, Nio, Li Yunfei, Oliver Zipse, Luca de Meo, ”, Sigrid de Vries, Laura Organizations: London CNN, China Passenger Car Association, UBS, The, EV, European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association, Senior, EU, Jato Dynamics, BMW, Renault, European Locations: Brussels, London, Europe, China, United States, Hong Kong

Petrol vehicles have been the top sellers in recent years - increasing their market share to around 68.4% in January-July 2023 from 42.5% in 2014, according to data from automotive market intelligence provider JATO Dynamics. Cost-conscious Indians are preferring to buy petrol cars as they are cheaper than diesel, even though diesel cars offer better fuel efficiency. DIESEL VEHICLES:Tuesday's warning from minister Nitin Gadkari targeted diesel carmakers, whose market share has seen a steady decline to nearly 18% of passenger vehicles in January-July this year from 47.9% in 2014. But when it comes to luxury cars, diesel variants remain in vogue, with their market share rising to 33% so far this year from 31% in 2021. Among automakers, Mahindra and Mahindra (MAHM.NS) has the highest diesel car market share with 47% of unit sales so far this year, up from 28% in 2021.

Persons: Maruti Suzuki, Nitin, Tesla, Aditi Shah, Aditya Kalra, Mark Potter Organizations: Maruti, Tata Motors, Volkswagen, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, JATO Dynamics, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Mahindra, Hyundai, Kia, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, China, United States, India

☆ 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

☆ IAA Mobility: China's automakers take the world by storm with EV push
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Leonhard Simon/Getty ImagesEven before the show kicked off, Renault chief executive Luca de Meo was on French radio talking up the rapid advances made by Chinese EV makers. Competitors worry that Chinese brands may eventually dominate the global EV market. In Europe, the top destination for China’s car exports, sales of Chinese EVs are booming. Supply chain advantageA major factor contributing to the lower cost of Chinese EVs is the country’s dominance of the EV battery supply chain. However, geopolitical tensions could complicate Chinese EV firms’ global push.

Persons: Leonhard Simon, Luca de Meo, ” de Meo, ” “, ”, Dylan Khoo, Li Yunfei, Oliver Zipse, Khoo, It’s, — Hanna Ziady, Olesya Dmitracova Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Visitors, Renault, Chinese EV, RTL Radio, China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China Passenger Car Association, Union, UBS, Europe Auto, EV, New, Research, Deloitte, BMW, ABI Research, Jato Dynamics, “, China’s SAIC, MG, IAA, SNE Research Locations: China, Hong Kong, Munich, Germany, Chinese, Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, Russia, New York, United States, France, British, United Kingdom, South Korean

"Chinese manufacturers will adapt vehicles to the European market step by step through user experience and customer orientation," Bosch (ROBG.UL) CEO Stefan Hartung told Reuters at Munich's IAA mobility show. Bosch's Chinese partnerships include developing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for most of Chinese EV maker BYD's (002594.SZ) cars, electric motors for luxury EV maker Human Horizons and is a supplier for Nio (9866.HK). Chinese EV makers including BYD, Nio, Xpeng (9868.HK) and Leapmotor (9863.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. "When we talk to our Chinese customers, there are very concrete plans to build plants in Europe," ZF CEO Holger Klein told Reuters. Continental CEO Nikolai Setzer told Reuters the supplier expects "the Chinese to go global and build plants in Europe."

Persons: Leonhard Simon, Bosch, Stefan Hartung, Hartung, Holger Klein, Nikolai Setzer, Setzer, Nick Carey, Victoria Waldersee, Christina Amann, Zoey Zhang, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, BYD's, Human, HK, Europe's EV, Jato Dynamics, Friedrichshafen, ZF, Continental, Thomson Locations: Munich, Germany, China, Europe

[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

Electric vehicles drove that change. In the first quarter of 2023, Russians purchased more Chinese cars than Lada, the beloved Soviet-era marque. That helps Chinese manufacturers churn out an electric vehicle for around 10,000 euros less than European competitors, according to Grant Thornton. Among the growing list of unwelcoming policies, the European Commission’s trade defence unit is considering ways to stem the tide of Chinese electric vehicle imports, according to Politico. How far China’s carmakers can make inroads further West will be decided by much more than assessments of their competency.

Persons: Bill Russo, Nio, Grant Thornton, Bernstein, Emmanuel Macron, CATL, Una Galani, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, HK, Volkswagen, World Trade Organization, International Energy Agency, Global Times, Beijing, Lada, Chery, Amperex Technology, Politico, Ford Motor, Toyota, Nissan, Twitter, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, BYD, People’s Republic, Europe, China, Shanghai, Hong Kong, New York, Japan, London ., European, United States, North America, France, Thailand, West

☆ Tesla had the world's top-selling car for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Alexa St. John | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Tesla's Model Y outsold all other vehicles in the first quarter this year. For the first time, an electric car was the top-selling vehicle around the world in the first quarter, and there's no surprise it was a Tesla. The EV market leader's Model Y outsold all other vehicles in Q1, according to estimates from JATO Dynamics published by the enthusiast publication Motor1. Tesla CEO Elon Musk predicted his midsize SUV would outpace all other vehicles this year back in August 2022. Tesla has been caught in consumer crossfires as the company has cut prices of its vehicles, including the Model Y.

Persons: there's, Motor1, Elon Musk, Musk, Tesla, Sam Fiorani, JATO Organizations: JATO Dynamics, Elon Musk's, EV, Morning, AutoForecast Solutions, Tesla, Toyota Corolla, Toyota

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.

☆ 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.

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