Chinese car companies have been enjoying a bigger slice of the pie in the European market, and its native brands are lobbying for their survival. Stellantis (comprising Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, et al.) and Renault have joined forces to lobby the European Union for a new class of car with reduced safety regulations, similar to Japan’s kei-car segment, which would allow the two automakers to build entry-level city cars for cheaper to compete with the likes of the BYD Dolphin Surf, a $20,000 EV whose current rivals cost $5,000 more on the Continent. Think Fiat 500e but slower, smaller, and cheaper.
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