Symbolic imageChina's EV share tops 60 percent at home as carmakers shift output abroad
New-energy vehicles took more than 60 percent of China's monthly car sales for the first time, Global Times reported on Wednesday. Chinese carmakers are at the same time shifting production to Spain and South Africa.
China exported more than a million vehicles for the second month running in July, with new-energy shipments up 145.5 percent, Global Times reported on Wednesday, 12 August. Two months earlier the monthly total was 930,000. The Associated Press ties the move abroad to weak demand at home and rising trade barriers in Europe and North America, which lead manufacturers to build where they sell.
SAIC's European base in Galicia
Le Monde reported on Wednesday that SAIC is testing the Galician port of Ferrol for its first European plant: 200 million euros, up to 2,300 jobs and a target of 120,000 vehicles a year, with construction from 2027.
Chery takes over a Nissan plant
Chery, China's largest auto exporter, took over Nissan's former Rosslyn plant near Pretoria in July to make plug-in hybrids, battery-electric cars and Jetour models, the Associated Press reported.
Record electric share in Germany
Of 268,068 cars newly registered in Germany in July, 78,609 were battery-electric, a record share of 29.3 percent, FAZ reported; Chinese brands hold a tenth of that market.
Other opinions
Global Times casts the numbers as strong global demand and reports Beijing urging a fair business environment for SAIC in Spain; FAZ and Le Monde read the same moves as Chinese brands gaining ground in Europe.