AD #4396 – EU Caps Chinese Hybrid Imports At 350K; Used Ford F-150 Lightnings Surge; Stellantis Debuts Concepts in Paris

This is Autoline Daily, the show dedicated to enthusiasts of the global automotive industry.

EU CAPS CHINESE HYBRID IMPORTS AT 350K
Chinese automakers have seen such explosive growth in the European market, that the EU slapped heavy tariffs on Chinese BEVs. But the Chinese quickly pivoted to selling more hybrids and PHEVs because they didn’t face the same tariffs and sales soared. So the EU just struck a deal where China will cap its exports of all hybrids to 350,000 units a year, starting in December. Then the cap will start increasing by 6% a year, which includes all hybrids, not just Chinese ones. That 350,000 number was how many hybrids Chinese automakers sold last year in Europe. But they’re on track to sell about 800,000 this year. So it’s going to be a big blow to exports.  

BYD TO HIRE 40K WORKERS IN EUROPE
Politicians and European executives were quick to praise the agreement, but they’re still nervous about the Chinese finding work-arounds. Reuters quotes Bill Russo, the founder of Automobility, a consultancy in Shanghai, as saying “I would expect this to strengthen the incentive for Chinese automakers to manufacture ⁠in Europe.” And right on cue, BYD announced it’s going to hire more than 40,000 people in Europe by 2030, up from nearly 10,000 today.  

EU AUTO SUPPLIERS DEMAND PROTECTION RULES
And yet, European suppliers are deeply worried that the EU is only moving to protect automakers, not suppliers. As Chinese automakers start producing cars in Europe, they believe they’ll simply bring their supply base with them. For example, XPeng says it can easily adapt its L2++ hands-free system to Europe. And XPeng has a partnership with Volkswagen. European suppliers are pushing for a proposal called the IAA, or Industrial Accelerator Act, commonly called the “Made In Europe” act. And they want to see it have real teeth, not just be a paper tiger. But let’s see if anything happens. The Made in Europe act was actually first proposed in 2014 and so far it’s just generated a bunch of talk.

CHINA RESTRICTS VEHICLE TECH
Meanwhile, China is cracking down on new car technology that it thinks is not safe. The government issued new rules placing limits on seating, infotainment screens and headlights and taillights. It plans tougher tests for “innovative” seating functions, such as levitating Zero G, rotating or fold-flat seats. The government is asking automakers to evaluate if there are too many screens and if they’re too distracting to drivers. Some new models now offer matrix LED lighting that allow drivers to project drawings and text from their cars. But China is now restricting what owners can display.

SHAWN FAIN CLAIMS VICTORY IN UAW ELECTION
UAW president Shawn Fain is claiming victory in the union’s election. More than 100,000 votes were cast and Fain received 68% of votes from union members. However, the monitor overseeing the election still hasn’t officially called the election yet. Fain’s time as president has been controversial, just check out our report from Friday. But now that he says he’s won the election, Fain promises to fight for pensions and retiree healthcare in the next contract negotiations with the Detroit 3 in 2028.

          

USED FORD F-150 LIGHTNINGS SURGE
Ford axed the F-150 Lightning from its lineup due to poor sales. But the electric truck is gaining popularity in the used market. The average used Lightning is being sold in about 20 days compared to 44 days for the average used car. Thanks to that demand, prices for the truck have risen to about $50,000, up 4% since the start of the year. And that price is about the same as a used gas-powered F-150.

ALPINE UNVEILS ELECTRIC A310 CONCEPT
There’s been talk of Chinese automakers taking over the Paris auto show, but so far the best reveals have come from the traditional automakers and sporty seems to be one of the main themes. Alpine is paying homage to a past icon with the A310 VISION concept. While there’s no plan for a production version at this time, the concept is built on the new Alpine Performance Platform or APP, which is expected to underpin the next-gen A110. The brand says it focused on weight, design and electrification so it could build an electric sports car that stays true to Alpine’s DNA.

STELLANTIS DEBUTS CONCEPTS IN PARIS
Now we move over to Stellantis, who has a whole heap of concepts on display. DS Automobiles pulled the wraps off the F3VER, a hot-hatch that’s supposed to hint at its future design direction. Peugeot showed its own hot-hatch, the E-T16 Concept, which like the Alpine is another tribute car. The brand also revealed the RCZ VISION that hints at the brand’s future design direction as well. But we find this a little more interesting because it’s the first Peugeot model based on a version of the STLA One platform and it features solid-state batteries from Factorial. Alfa joins the sports car party with the Cuorerosso. Like the other models, you can expect elements of this concept to show up in future Alfas. Opel debuted its vision for future station wagons with the STX, which has almost a kammback-like rear end. I think a Citroen badge would look pretty good on the STX too. But like Fiat and the Multiplay concept, Citroen went for a more mass market appeal. It revealed the 2 CV concept, but unlike most of these other vehicles, there will be a production version. We’ll see the production 2 CV within the next 2 years, it will be made in France and the company is shooting for a starting price under 15,000 euros. There’s even likely to be commercial versions.  

  

But that’s a wrap for this show. Thanks for making Autoline a part of your day.