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EU Car Ban Sparks Industry Fears of China Takeover
4 Dec
Summary
- Manufacturers urge EU to delay 2035 ban on combustion engines.
- Critics warn ban could cede European roads to Chinese EVs.
- Germany seeks flexible regulation, allowing hybrid technologies.

The European automotive sector faces a significant divide concerning the impending 2035 prohibition on new combustion-engine car sales. Key industry players, including Volkswagen and Mercedes, are actively lobbying the European Union to postpone this ban, which would also encompass hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Concerns are mounting that this EV-exclusive policy could inadvertently pave the way for Chinese manufacturers to seize control of the European market with their cost-effective vehicles. Polestar CEO Michael Lohscheller has strongly opposed any delay, emphasizing that halting the transition would empower competitors like China and foster outdated industries.
Amidst these debates, reports suggest the European Commission may reconsider its stance, weighing geopolitical shifts and the need to preserve European industry's competitiveness and technological edge. This comes as the US also adjusts its fuel efficiency standards, highlighting a global divergence in automotive policy.



