China's electric vehicles (EVs) and a wide range of EV-related auto parts including batteries are highlighted at the 2024 Paris Motor show that started on Monday in France, capturing attentions of many European auto professionials.
The week-long exhibition, which runs through to Oct. 20, is showcasing the latest innovations in the automotive industry, and marks the first major automotive exhibition held following the European Union's approval of hiking tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles earlier this month.
Many representatives of European exhibitors at the show have expressed their enthusiasm for China's electric vehicle industry chain products, saying the competition between European and Chinese carmakers should be market-oriented.
"Europe is a little bit late in EV industry, and we have to admit this. Our equipment products are also falling behind. I'm standing at an exhibition section of a Chinese battery maker with sophisticated battery-making technologies that I discovered only yesterday. European people need to understand how to manufacture batteries better. I have seen high-end EVs and electric supercars at an auto show in Beijing, so our Chinese friends know exactly how to make such cars," said Serge Bierry, co-founder of Prestige Auto Beaune.
European carmakers belive China and Europe should cooperate in EV industry as China plays an important role in providing raw materials and batteries.
"I think this collaboration actually is absolutely necessary because I can see the European cost, the price of it is so high in comparison with the Chinese car. So I think the future is about collaboration between China and Europe," said José Diez Climent, a strategic project director general from Generalitat Valenciana.
José Diez Climent, Director Generak de Proyectis Estratégicos Presidencia de la Generalitat Valenciana
The auto show has boosted the confidence of Chinese companies as they find they are taking the lead in global EV industry.
Many clients from Europe have acknowledged that they are lagging behind Chinese brands in the EV and EV-related auto parts manufacturing industries, so some senior employees from overseas original equipment manufacturers flocked to China during last year's auto show to see what progress Chinese brands have made, said Cao Kai, an exhibitor of a Chinese brand.
"Against this backdrop, many European companies are trying to catch up with Chinese brands in terms of EV technologies and auto parts," said Cao.
China's EVs, components grab attention from Europe at Paris auto show
Officials and business leaders from both China and the United States gathered in Berkeley, California on Friday to discuss the future of trade and investment between China and the San Francisco Bay Area, with many hoping to overcome the recent strain brought by the Trump administration's tariffs.
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade hosted a business breakfast exchange meeting on Friday morning, with the council's chairman Ren Hongbin sending out a clear message of the vast economic potential which is there to be tapped into.
"The Chinese economy is very much innovation driven. And the strategic emerging industries, such as new energy, new materials, low carbon, aerospace, bio-pharmacy and the low-altitude economy, will generate a trillion-yuan level or even larger markets. So, I think that will provide enormous opportunities and room for China and U.S. companies to cooperate," said Ren.
He further stressed the China International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing as an example of an event where San Francisco Bay Area companies like NVIDIA and Apple were active participants and direct beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Zhang Jianmin said that against the backdrop of a global economic slowdown, greater cooperation in the innovation sector is now more important than ever.
"The [San Francisco] Bay Area is home to many of the world's top tech companies and offers a sound innovation ecosystem. China has a super big market, rich application scenarios and a complete industrial supporting system. There exists tremendous potential for both sides to have more mutually beneficial cooperation by tapping into their complementary strengths," said Zhang.
Attendees did voice concerns over how the Trump administration's tariffs are impacting business.
With China accounting for nearly 30 percent of the Port of Oakland's total trade volume, the port's executive director Kristi McKenney stressed the need for greater stability and certainty.
"The tariffs in many cases were never actually implemented or were changed before they were implemented. So those linkages are a bit more challenging. I think the bigger issue will be certainty in the economy. And if there's lack of certainty, if we see economic difficulty, then you're going to see job losses," said McKenney.
Oakland's Mayor Barbara Lee said that it is very much business as usual, despite the recent difficulties.
"While we understand the challenges of tariffs, the exports and imports are still continuing, and our port is still a large containerized port doing business with China. And we're going to strengthen that relationship. We may have our differences on issues, on policies, but we here in Oakland understand that we're a global city and we believe the trade brings friendships, brings understanding, and also brings economic benefits to both countries," she said.
Chinese, US officials, business leaders meet in California to deepen mutual understanding
