- The Chinese government wants its automakers to put the brakes on their expansion plans into Europe.
- Sales of Chinese EVs in Europe are growing but new levies may put the brakes on its impetus.
- September was the second-best month ever for Chinese EV sales in the European Union.
Most carmakers in China are owned by the state. The Chinese government has a big say in how and where they do business, although they still have some independence. That's posing an issue, now, as the Chinese government isn't happy about the European Union's new import duties on Chinese cars. The country has tried to exert economic leverage agains the EU to get them to drop the tariffs, which will be up to 35% on some vehicles when they take affect in November. But now, Beijing is trying a different strategy: Telling its automakers to slow down their European expansion plans.
