Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-04-27 09:13Core Viewpoint - The recent EU vote on tariffs for Chinese electric vehicles has revealed significant political maneuvering, with Germany, Italy, and Hungary forming an anti-tariff alliance, while Sweden also shifted its stance, indicating a complex response to the rise of Chinese EVs in Europe [1][3]. Group 1: Industry Dynamics - Germany's change of heart is driven by the challenges faced by its automotive industry, which is under pressure from the rapid rise of Chinese competitors like BYD, NIO, and Xpeng, leading to a sense of urgency among German automakers [1][3]. - The CEO of Mercedes-Benz, Ola Källenius, warned that tariff barriers could accelerate the decline of the European automotive sector, suggesting that the real issue lies in the slow transition of European companies rather than the strength of Chinese EVs [3]. - Sweden's shift is influenced by Volvo's significant 47% increase in EV sales in China, highlighting the contradiction of supporting tariffs while benefiting from the Chinese market [3][4]. Group 2: Political and Economic Implications - The dramatic reversal in the tariff vote underscores a deeper question about how Europe should respond to the rise of Chinese electric vehicles: through tariffs or collaboration for mutual benefit [4]. - The support for tariffs from countries like France appears to be more of a political statement than a rational business decision, as evidenced by Renault's secret collaboration with CATL for battery technology [3]. - The impressive performance of BYD in Europe, with 187,000 orders in April, surpassing Tesla's 153,000, indicates growing acceptance of Chinese EVs among European consumers, which poses both pressure and motivation for local automakers [6].