Irish Examiner View: Drumcree march controversy unearths old bitterness

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European car industry threatened by Chinese EVs

The future of the once-great European car industry is being threatened by the fast-growing number of Chinese cars — and hybrids in particular.

Just four years ago, only 659 Chinese-made fully hybrid cars (HEVs) (where petrol or diesel engines are used to charge motors and batteries) were sold across Europe. In the first seven months of this year, that number shot up to 160,662.

On top of that, the sales of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) (which can be recharged via an engine or an outside source) amounted to 217,764 — up from 56,706 in 2022.

Even though Brussels imposed anti-subsidy tariffs on pure electric cars from China in 2024, the Chinese march has continued unabated, causing alarm and crisis across the European industry. Volkswagen recently announced 100,000 job cuts and factory closures in an attempt to stem losses.

The Europeans are being beaten on price and technology and are being backed into a corner to make cheaper and more appealing vehicles. They are reacting, but it is a slow process.

Undoubtedly the European industry will fight back, and the consumer will benefit, but it is doing so kicking and screaming. It needs a more pragmatic and faster response.