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China scrap plans for electric SUV production in Poland

12.11.2024 13:30
According to Reuters sources, Stellantis and its partner Leapmotor have canceled plans to produce a second electric vehicle model in Poland. 
The Stellantis factory in Tychy, located in southern Poland, is one of the companys key manufacturing plants in the region.
The Stellantis factory in Tychy, located in southern Poland, is one of the company's key manufacturing plants in the region.PAP/Jarek Praszkiewicz

Reuters suggests that China will retaliate against Poland for backing EU tariffs on Chinese cars.
Consequently, the electric SUV, originally planned for production in Tychy, southern Poland, will now be manufactured in Slovakia or Germany - countries that opposed the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

The Chinese government's full state control over businesses resulted in the decision to move the electric SUV project away from the Silesia factory in southern Poland, according to Reuters.

As reported by the national broadcaster Polish Radio and the information agency IAR, the decision not to produce the B10 model in Tychy is being seen in Germany as an opportunity to move production to other Stellantis plants in Europe.

The newspaper "Die Welt" reminds that Stellantis, which produces Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, and Opel models, had previously sought tariffs on Chinese electric cars but, last year, entered into a partnership with the Chinese manufacturer. Meanwhile, the German government is cautiously approaching cooperation with China, given the involvement of Volkswagen and BMW.

The Chinese producer, Leapmotor, which already manufactures the B10 in China, plans to introduce the model to European markets next year.

Source: IAR/Reuters

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