The European Commission has decided to impose additional duties on imported China-made electric cars, which could potentially lead to retaliatory measures from Beijing. This move has raised concerns within the European auto industry, particularly for German carmakers who have significant exposure to the Chinese market. Despite the potential impact on profits, some companies have already taken steps to mitigate the effects of these tariffs. In this article, we will explore the various European car brands with exposure to China and how they are poised to handle the new tariffs.
**MERCEDES-BENZ**
Mercedes-Benz is one of the premium automakers that has a significant presence in the Chinese market, with China accounting for a third of its unit sales. The company imports almost one in five of its cars sold in China from Germany, including top-end models like the S-Class and Maybach. However, Mercedes-Benz also produces mid-range models locally in China to cater to the market’s demand. Any retaliatory tariffs on German-made cars could potentially impact the company’s profits, unless they are able to offset the costs through higher prices.
**BMW**
BMW, another German automaker, generates nearly a third of its unit sales in China. However, only 13% of those sales come from imported cars, which are mainly high-end vehicles. BMW has a joint venture with China’s Brilliance Automotive to produce cars for the Chinese market, including the electric iX3 for export to Europe. Additionally, BMW has a joint venture with Great Wall Motor Co to produce electric versions of the Mini Cooper and Mini Aceman in China for global export, including to Europe where they would be subject to the new tariffs.
**VOLKSWAGEN**
Volkswagen holds the biggest share of the Chinese market among foreign companies, with 14.5% of the market. The company has localized production in China, reducing the sales of imports from Germany to just 2.5% of its China sales. Volkswagen aims to increase its market share to 15% by 2030 and reduce costs by 40% to better compete with Chinese competitors. In April, Volkswagen pledged more than $5 billion to expand research and production in China, highlighting the importance of the market for the company.
**PORSCHE**
Porsche, a luxury carmaker owned by Volkswagen, is highly exposed to the Chinese market with 21% of its sales coming from China in the first quarter. All of Porsche’s sales in China are imported vehicles, but the company has the advantage of higher pricing power in the premium sector to pass tariffs on to consumers. Porsche’s ability to maintain its pricing power in the face of tariffs will be crucial in mitigating the impact on its profits.
**VOLVO CAR**
Volvo Car, a Swedish automaker majority-owned by China’s Geely, generates a quarter of its unit sales in China but only around 10% of its profit. The company has focused on local production in China, with imported vehicles making up about 4% of its sales in the country. Volvo has started to shift some of its EV production to Belgium ahead of the EU tariff decision, indicating a proactive approach to managing the potential impact on its business.
In conclusion, the European auto industry is facing challenges with the new tariffs on imported China-made electric cars. Companies with significant exposure to the Chinese market, such as German carmakers, will need to navigate these challenges strategically to protect their profits and maintain their competitive edge. By leveraging their pricing power, local production capabilities, and strategic partnerships, European car brands can weather the storm of trade tensions and emerge stronger in the post-tariff environment.