Chinese automakers take centre stage at Paris Motor Show amid EU tariffs: Video
At the Paris Motor Show, Chinese automotive manufacturers are drawing attention, with brands like Xpeng and BYD showcasing their latest electric vehicles (EVs).
As they aim to expand into the European market, these companies face increased tariffs imposed by the European Union on Chinese EV imports.
Xpeng’s founder and CEO, He Xiaopeng, is optimistic about the opportunities in Europe. He told AFP on the sidelines of the Paris Motor Show that European businesses "don't need to worry" about Chinese competitors.
“I think all policies are reasonable as long as they are stable and they treat all companies equal. Now we are searching for possibilities to work with local plants or have our own plants (in Europe)," he elaborated.
He Xiaopeng also emphasised the potential for collaboration with local European partners, stating, “We would like to work with other local partners in order to use our own complementary advantages or comparative advantage."
Renault’s CEO, Luca de Meo, highlighted the importance of learning from the competition. Speaking at the show, he said, “How we engage with China will also be crucial. There's an opportunity that we have no right to miss: learning from our competitors and imitating them when they do better than us. This is what the Europeans - the Fiats, the Citroens, the Renaults - did a century ago in the United States when Ford revolutionised manufacturing with the production line. That's what the Chinese have also done more recently with us."
Xpeng’s long-term ambitions extend beyond traditional EVs. The company is exploring the possibility of introducing flying cars to Europe, contingent on regulatory approval. "If the law in Europe allows, we want to launch flying cars," He Xiaopeng revealed.
Meanwhile, Tesla, a key competitor in the EV space and owned by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, has unveiled its self-driving vehicle, the "Cybercab." Set for production by 2027, the Cybercab is expected to revolutionise urban transportation with a starting price under $30,000 and an operating cost of just $0.40 per mile.
However, Tesla shares dropped by 9% on Friday, October 11, after the new vehicle's reveal failed to meet investor expectations.
