Core Viewpoint - The significant price disparity between electric vehicles in Taiwan and mainland China highlights structural issues within Taiwan's automotive market, particularly in the new energy sector [1][4][22]. Price Disparity - The price of vehicles in Taiwan can be significantly higher than in mainland China, with examples showing that the same model can cost up to double in Taiwan compared to the mainland [1][3][9]. - For instance, the Tesla Model 3 is priced at approximately 169.99 million TWD (about 37.8 million RMB) in Taiwan, while in mainland China, it starts at around 23-24 million RMB [8][9]. Consumer Sentiment - Taiwanese consumers express frustration over high vehicle prices, with some describing the experience of purchasing a car in Taiwan as akin to being "robbed" [4][5]. - The perception of high prices is supported by data showing that the average price of new cars in Taiwan is among the highest globally, despite lower average wages compared to other high-price countries [25]. Market Dynamics - The Taiwanese automotive market is heavily influenced by government policies that create barriers to entry for mainland Chinese vehicles, which are seen as a threat to local manufacturers [12][15][26]. - The local automotive industry faces challenges from the increasing presence of affordable electric vehicles from mainland China, which could disrupt the market and profit margins of Taiwanese manufacturers [14][22]. Electric Vehicle Market Growth - The share of electric vehicles in Taiwan is growing, with projections indicating that by 2030, electric vehicles could account for 60% of total vehicle sales [20][21]. - Despite this growth, the electric vehicle market in Taiwan is still heavily reliant on imports, with Tesla being the leading brand [17][20]. Structural Issues - The high prices of vehicles in Taiwan are attributed not only to taxes but also to a lack of local manufacturing capabilities and reliance on imported components, which increases costs [25][26]. - The Taiwanese government's protective measures have not effectively resolved the underlying issues within the automotive industry, leading to a "structural dilemma" that hinders the proliferation of affordable electric vehicles [22][25].