Carlos Tavares believes that the European Union’s investigation into Chinese subsidies for electric vehicles is not the right way to solve this problem. He argues for a change in mindset, especially since Stellantis, the company he leads, has recently partnered with the Chinese manufacturer Leapmotor.
According to Tavares, launching an investigation is not the best approach to address these issues. Instead, he suggests adopting a more ‘global’ mentality, as we need to tackle global problems together. He expressed his views during a conference in Hangzhou, China:
‘As we face global challenges, we need to adopt a global mindset. We don’t support a fragmented world. We embrace competition. Launching an investigation is not the best way to tackle these issues.’
This statement followed the alliance between Stellantis and Leapmotor, which was announced on October 26th. The American-French-Italian group has decided to invest 1.5 billion euros in the Chinese electric vehicle start-up, acquiring a 21.3% stake and becoming a significant shareholder.
Stellantis aims to counter the Chinese offensive in the electric vehicle market. Carlos Tavares wants his company to be a leader, not a victim, in this trend. This is particularly important as Stellantis has faced challenges in China and recently reduced its presence in the market.
However, a few weeks ago, the European Union launched an investigation into Chinese manufacturers. These companies allegedly receive generous subsidies from the Chinese government, allowing them to offer highly competitive prices. This raises concerns about unfair competition with the European industry, potentially straining trade relations between the European Union and China.
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Read more on Auto-Moto.com:
– China’s discontent over the EU investigation on automotive subsidies
– Why China exported so many electrified vehicles last month
– First Chinese manufacturer penalized for its pricing
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