A new working group has been established by the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) to promote cooperation in the automotive industry between China and Europe. This initiative was announced during the China-Portugal and China-EU Cooperation Development Forum in Lisbon, Portugal on February 18. Nio Europe’s vice president, Zhang Hui, has been appointed as the first chairman of this automotive working group.
Zhang Hui expressed the importance of this working group in creating a platform for communication and collaboration among Chinese automakers in Europe. He emphasized the need to protect and promote their interests in Europe while strengthening ties with local partners. The group aims to address challenges arising from the global shift towards electrification and automated driving.
In a LinkedIn post, Zhang Hui highlighted the significance of closer collaboration between China and Europe in the automotive industry. With China producing 31 million vehicles in 2024 and Europe being a hub for research and development, he stressed the importance of working together in the face of geopolitical tensions and evolving trade policies.
The formation of this working group comes in response to the EU’s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). Companies in the automotive supply chain have been advocating for such a group to represent their interests and provide support in the European market. Wang Yiwei, director of the EU research center at Renmin University of China, believes that the group will facilitate dialogue between China and the EU regarding the imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese EVs.
The European Commission initiated an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EV imports in 2023, citing unfair subsidies that distort the European market. Despite the closure of the investigation and the imposition of additional tariffs, Chinese automakers like Nio, Xpeng, BYD, and Zeekr are expanding into the European market.
Overall, the establishment of the CCCEU automotive working group signifies a step towards enhancing cooperation between Chinese and European automakers. It provides a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and advocacy in the ever-evolving automotive industry landscape.
