E-cars: No punitive tariffs for electric cars made in China
BACKGROUND Will Chinese e-cars such as BYD, MG, Voyah and others still to come soon be more expensive? The EU Commission is considering punitive tariffs. But what does this mean for Switzerland?
Chinese brands are rolling into Europe - and Switzerland too. This was clearly demonstrated at the Geneva Motor Show GIMS 2024, where it was announced that Astara is now responsible for the import, distribution and customer service of Chinese manufacturer MG in Switzerland. What's more, the Emil Frey Group has taken over the distribution of BYD in Switzerland and Liechtenstein from the second quarter of this year.
Competition for western car manufacturers
Chinese e-cars are considered to be the toughest competition for Western car manufacturers. They are pushing onto our roads with vehicles that are often cheaper. This is a thorn in the side of European manufacturers. Now they can hope: The EU sees evidence of unauthorized state subsidies for Chinese manufacturers. An investigation is underway. It will take a few months. This was announced by the EU Commission last week. That is why it is looking into punitive tariffs - even retroactively. Customs are now to start recording current and previous imports.
However, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius does not think much of it. On the contrary: in an article in the Financial Times, he called on the EU Commission to reduce tariffs on imported electric cars from China: "Stronger competition from China would help European car manufacturers to produce better cars in the long term."
Presumably also out of self-interest. With 9.98 percent of the voting rights, the Chinese BAIC Group is the largest single shareholder in the Mercedes-Benz Group. Other major shareholders (9.69 percent) include the Chinese investor Li Shufu.
No obligation for Switzerland
But what would EU punitive tariffs mean for Switzerland? Will Chinese electric cars soon become more expensive here because Switzerland has to pay the EU's punitive tariffs?
Research assistant Nina Taillard from the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO comments: "Switzerland has no obligation to adopt EU law in this area. The customs duties that Switzerland levies on the import of goods of Chinese origin are regulated in the free trade agreement between Switzerland and China. They are set at zero for electric cars."
So it's still clear sailing for electric cars from China on Swiss roads.
