Skip advert
Advertisement

‘The influx of Chinese cars should drive European rivals to new levels of excellence’

Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler thinks the arrival of Chinese cars in Europe is forcing many of the established brands to up their game

Opinion - MG3

Barely a conversation with an auto industry exec passes these days without mention of the influx of Chinese cars. Many are here, more are coming.

It’s been a hot topic in many of the annual media conferences the car companies hold at this time of year to crow about their financial results. And it comes as the EU is reportedly close to imposing additional tariffs on Chinese cars, amidst claims that the Chinese Government is subsidising electric cars exported to Europe.

Of course, where the EU leads, the UK may well follow. So what’s the industry view? Speaking at Volkswagen’s annual conference, boss Oliver Blume described tariffs as “potentially dangerous”. “We’re in favour of free, fair world trade with everyone following the same rules,” he said. “We are not in favour of protectionism.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

Mercedes boss Ola Källenius went even further, telling the Financial Times: “Don’t raise tariffs. I’m a contrarian. I think go the other way around: take the tariffs that we have and reduce them.”

Perhaps most exciting of all was what Fiat and DS CEO Olivier Francois told us when we caught up this week. “I see it as a challenge to do better and quicker,” he said.

We already know that car makers are upping their game in reaction to the way Chinese makers develop their cars. VW, for example, is cutting the development time for its newest models from 54 months to 36.

Competition is healthy; it drives rivals to new levels of excellence, and that can only benefit the consumer. Sure, it will be a big challenge for British and European car makers, but I have every confidence that brilliance will prevail. And I hope we’ll see even better and more affordable models from the established brands.

Plus rather than penalising some makers, governments can support the whole industry with incentives across the board. As one exec told me, EVs sell well in the countries with incentives, not the ones without.

Do you agree with Steve? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Superb Estate iV PHEV can do it all for only £235 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front full width image

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Superb Estate iV PHEV can do it all for only £235 a month

Our Deal of the Day for Sunday 19 October is an award-winning family wagon at a price that’s very difficult to ignore
News
19 Oct 2025
Car Deal of the Day: The Vauxhall Frontera Electric feels like a trip back to the 1990s at this price
Vauxhall Frontera Electric - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: The Vauxhall Frontera Electric feels like a trip back to the 1990s at this price

The Frontera Electric could be the perfect car for first-time EV families. It’s our Deal of the Day for October 21.
News
21 Oct 2025
New Omoda 4 revealed, and it looks like a Lamborghini Urus
Omoda 4 - reveal front

New Omoda 4 revealed, and it looks like a Lamborghini Urus

Funky new Omoda 4 breaks cover as a tech-forward rival to the VW T-Roc and Nissan Juke
News
20 Oct 2025