Chinese car industry

The European Union is pressing the United Kingdom to raise its tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China. Brussels has already imposed duties on Chinese EVs to counter subsidies it says give them an unfair advantage, and it now wants London to align its trade policy. The issue highlights ongoing differences between the EU and UK on how to handle Chinese competition in the car industry.

Volkswagen has announced a partnership with Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech to supply batteries for its electric vehicles. The deal deepens the German automaker's ties with Chinese suppliers as it scales up its EV production and secures battery capacity. The announcement drew attention from industry and market watchers tracking VW's electrification strategy and its reliance on Chinese battery technology.

UBS argues that the threat posed by Chinese carmakers to Europe's auto industry is larger than European policymakers currently appreciate. The bank's assessment adds to growing concern that Chinese manufacturers, with their cost and technology advantages, could take significant market share from established European brands faster than regulators and industry leaders have planned for.

Fortune reports that Chinese companies are now competing head-on with Europe's most profitable industries, from luxury goods like $1,000 Gucci sneakers to German cars. The piece argues China's industrial upgrade means it is no longer just a manufacturing base but a direct rival in premium sectors long dominated by European brands, raising the stakes for the continent's export-driven economies.

BYD is rolling out a major overhaul of its cheapest electric vehicle, and the scope of the update is larger than anticipated. The Chinese automaker, the world's top seller of EVs, is revising its entry-level model as competition in the budget electric car market intensifies. Details of the redesign and its implications for pricing and rivals are drawing attention across the auto industry.

BMW's chief executive has said that some Chinese-made cars sold in Europe 'make no business sense,' while also supporting dialogue over tariffs rather than outright trade barriers. His comments reflect the tension facing European automakers as Chinese brands expand into Europe with competitively priced electric vehicles, prompting EU tariff discussions. The remarks signal BMW's call for a negotiated approach that protects European industry without escalating a trade conflict with China.

Chinese automaker BYD has confirmed plans to bring an electric vehicle equipped with a solid-state battery to market in 2027. Solid-state batteries are seen as a potential breakthrough for electric cars, promising greater range, faster charging and improved safety over today's lithium-ion cells. The announcement puts BYD in the race with other manufacturers working toward mass production of the technology.

Ford is working to develop electric vehicles capable of competing with Chinese automakers, who currently lead the market on cost and technology. InsideEVs reports from behind the scenes at Ford, examining how the company is rethinking its EV design, manufacturing and supply chain in an effort to close the gap with China's fast-moving car industry.

China plans to open new manufacturing facilities in Kazakhstan, including plants producing robots, cars and pharmaceuticals. The projects deepen economic and industrial cooperation between the two neighbours and fit Kazakhstan's push to attract foreign investment and diversify its economy beyond raw materials. The announcement is drawing attention across regional media as a sign of expanding Chinese industrial presence in Central Asia.

Canada's arrangement with China over electric vehicles is being framed as a story that goes beyond imported cars. Beyond tariffs on Chinese-built EVs, the discussion touches on deeper ties in manufacturing, battery supply chains and investment that could shape Canada's auto sector. Observers are watching whether Ottawa will widen its approach to Chinese involvement in the country's EV industry as a whole.

The European Union is reportedly preparing to require that 70% of electric vehicle components be sourced within the bloc, a rule that would hit foreign automakers building cars in Europe. Hyundai Motor Group and Kia, which operate plants in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, are seen as facing a key test of whether they can build local supply chains. The move is part of wider European efforts to protect domestic industry amid competition from Chinese makers such as BYD.

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD plans to launch its first car powered by a solid-state battery in 2027. Solid-state batteries promise greater energy density, faster charging and improved safety over today's lithium-ion cells, and automakers worldwide are racing to bring them to market. BYD's timetable puts it among the frontrunners in the next generation of EV battery technology.