Germany - Recent

The European Commission's latest move to impose controversial punitive tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (EVs) will threaten Europe's own ambition for a green transition, hurt European consumers, and have a negative impact on economic development, said industry insiders during an interview.

They emphasized that instead of fostering cooperation, these tariffs risk sparking a trade conflict that could harm not only China-EU relations, but also Europe's own ambition for a green transition.

Experts anticipate that the prices of EVs will increase due to the controversial punitive tariffs, potentially affecting consumers' purchase intentions. This move is expected to slow down the pace of Europe's transition to EVs.

This year, the growth rate of electric car sales in Europe has rapidly slowed down. In August, electric car sales in Germany saw a significant drop of nearly 70 percent.

Analysts pointed out that the high prices of electric vehicles produced in Europe are the main reason for the subdued consumer purchasing intentions.

German auto expert Ferdinand Dudenhoffer stated that the EU's punitive tariffs will further increase the prices of electric vehicles, impacting the EU's carbon neutrality goals.

In recent years, German car manufacturers have continued to invest and deepen their presence in the Chinese market, establishing production bases, as well as research and development centers. The Chinese market has become one of the key pillars of German car manufacturers' global strategies and a significant driver of electrification transformation and technological innovation.

Professionals in the German automotive industry have voiced that only an open market and healthy competition can foster innovation.

Shotlist:
Germany - Recent:
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - Date Unknown
1. Various of European Union (EU) flags;
FILE: Brussels, Belgium - June 27, 2024
2. Various of EU flags in front of Berlaymont building, pedestrians, security guards;
3. Various of traffic; EU buildings;
Germany - Recent
4. SOUNDBITE (German) Ferdinand Dudenhoffer, German auto expert:
"All German and French car manufacturers are against the tariff policy by the European Commission. The European Commission's punitive tariffs have harmed the European automotive industry and undermined efforts to address climate change. It artificially raises the prices of electric cars, which is detrimental.";
FILE: Berlin, Germany - Date Unknown
5. National flag of Germany;
FILE: Frankfurt, Germany - Oct 24, 2019
6. City view, buildings, bridge;
FILE: Berlin, Germany - July 2022
7. Various of traffic;
Germany - Recent
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ola Kallenius, chairman of Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG (ending with shots 9-10):
"Going into protectionism and building up borders, I believe will stifle growth and actually reduce economic positive impact for the future. So the right way forward is to continue a path towards opening up. That's what we strongly feel.";
FILE: Schwarzheide, Germany - 2022
9. Various of car assembly line in Mercedes-Benz factory;
FILE: Hamburg, Germany - 2014
10. Various of Port of Hamburg, equipment, containers.

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