The first loser after the EU imposed tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles turned out to be Tesla!
According to the latest survey released by research firm Jato Dynamics, despite the EU imposing additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Chinese electric vehicles achieved a year-on-year increase of 59% in April this year, reaching nearly 15,300 units. Among them, BYD, known as "China's top car brand," registered 7,231 new cars in Europe, surpassing American electric giant Tesla (7,165 units) for the first time.
"This is a major victory for Chinese automakers in this important European market!" commented Germany's Business Insider.
Germany's ARD analyzed the reasons: BYD is no longer solely focused on pure electric vehicles; plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are becoming its main focus, which helps avoid vehicle tariffs and makes it easier for European consumers to accept. BYD's expansion strategy in Europe is yielding positive results.
In contrast, Tesla's sales continued to decline in April, extending the downward trend from the first quarter of this year, with a year-on-year decrease of 49%.
German media commented that Tesla's current weakness lies in its aging product lineup and damage to its image caused by CEO Musk's involvement in politics. For example, he held positions in the Trump administration, which was unpopular in Europe, and supported the Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has been designated by the German government as a far-right organization.
This reversal holds significant symbolic meaning. One is moving forward full steam ahead, while the other is struggling. At the same time, the competitive landscape for established European manufacturers such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz is becoming increasingly thin.
By the end of 2025, "the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer" BYD will enter 29 European countries, opening over 1,000 stores. Its first European factory located in Hungary will also go into operation this autumn, and its Turkish factory and planned third factory will gradually begin operations.
Felipe Munoz, global analyst at Jato Dynamics, said, "This will be a turning point for the European automotive market!"
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832969217747020/
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