Zapping The Auto Blog Essays 136h Citroen e-C4X
The EU should revise slightly lower the customs duties imposed on Chinese manufacturers from July 4. For SAIC holding MG Motor, it would ultimately be 37.6% compared to 38.1 previously announced. Geely owner of Volvo would go from 19.9 to 20. No change for BYD. These new figures are put forward following discussions with Chinese manufacturers after the Union’s declarations. As a reminder, these new rates follow an investigation by Europe into the subsidies granted by the Chinese state to its automobile companies.
The European electric car market fell by 12% in May. However, in France, it grew by 5.4% compared to the same month last year. With a 44.% increase, Belgium became the third market. This slowdown is characterized by a weak increase over the first 5 months of the year. 556,276 cars were sold between January and May, or only 2% more if we look at the figures for 2023. The increase in customs duties on Chinese vehicles should also limit growth, at least for a while.
UFC Que Choisir urges Stellantis to implement concrete solutions for customers affected by the airbag recall. In an open letter, its president Marie-Amandine Stévenin assures that without satisfactory commitments, the association will take all necessary legal action to defend the victims. Many consumers whose vehicles are immobilized are without a solution today. UFC calls on Stellantis to immediately give an effective repair date within three months maximum to all its customers.
According to the Nikkei newspaper, Tesla is the leader in terms of profit per car. Their analysis focused on Quick-FactSet data, on the 12 main global manufacturers. The Californian brand would earn 6,640 euros per vehicle before taxes. Next comes Mercedes with 4,911 euros and BMW which would earn 4,063 euros per sale. Profit rose 92% for Toyota, 54% for Honda and 27% for Hyundai.
Don’t miss the test of the week, we took the wheel of the restyled Audi Q3 and its 333 horsepower.
Finally, the new products of the week. Hyundai unveils images and information about its electric city car Inster intended for Europe. Ford announces the upcoming arrival of a new 100% electric Capri. Finally, BMW presented its new 727 horsepower M5 plug-in hybrid.
To sum up
On the agenda this week: the EU slightly revises customs duties on Chinese cars downwards, the European electric market declines in May, UFC Que Choisir questions Tavarès on the airbag affair, Tesla would be leader in terms of profits per car. Finally, the test and the new products of the week.
