Is China cannibalising the EU car industry?

A Leapmotor T03 electric city car at the Paris motor show. The Chinese carmaker, which partners with Stellantis, is to start taking orders for the car, assembled in Poland. Photograph: Yoan Valat/EPA

For decades Germany has enjoyed a reputation as Europe’s car capital, with slogans such as Vorsprung durch Technik emblematic of its political and industrial prowess.

But troubles looming over Volkswagen, where unions are battling threats of layoffs and factory closures, have raised questions not just about its future but the wider European car industry.