FRANKFURT, Sept 11 (Askume) – Chinese-Swedish joint venture electric car brand Lynk & Co will launch its first Chinese-made pure electric car in Europe next month, saying it has no intention of passing on rising auto tariffs to consumers .
“We can’t do that – there are so many competitors produced in Europe… we have to price the car in the market and we have to work from there.”
Still, Upgren said he would be interested whenever the brand, jointly owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (GEELY.UL) and Volvo Cars (VOLCARb.ST), launches its next-generation electric vehicles in the region. He also said GeelyThe location of the factory is being searched.
Lynk & Co’s compact SUV pure electric vehicles will face an 18.8% tariff under the European Commission’s ongoing plan to crack down on unfair subsidies for Chinese electric vehicle makers.
The automaker has not yet announced the price of the car. A compact SUV built on the same platform as the Volvo EX30 and Zecher
“We have to find solutions, but it’s not like putting a knife to the throat,” Appelgren said.
His comments contrasted with those of car brand SEAT/CUPRA chief executive Wayne Griffiths, who said a 21.3% tax tariff on Chinese-made CUPRA Tavascan EVs would put the company’s financial future at risk .
Without expected sales of the Tavascan, the CUPRA brand of Volkswagen’s (VOWG_p.DE) Spanish unit Seat SA will not be able to meet the EU’s CO2 emissions reduction targets set for next year due to sales of internal combustion engines and would face fines even if Link&A continues to make only electric vehicles.
The Swedish brand sells and leases its first European model, a hybrid SUV, in seven European markets and is in talks with retailers in the region to bring its cars to market by the end of the year, Upgren said.
The company plans to launch another plug-in hybrid next year and expand sales to fleet buyers, who account for most EV purchases in the region.
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