Chinese EV makers growing market share in Europe, target more
Chinese brands unlikely to be able to sell as cheaply as at home
Import costs and low brand recognition pose challenges

BERLIN, Aug 18 Reuters China39;s electric vehicle EV makers, which have raced past foreign rivals to top sales rankings at home, are arriving in Europe and facing a new set of challenges.

Stereotypes of Chinese manufacturing, import costs, and a less developed EV market are just some of the issues Chinese brands such as BYD, Nio and SAIC39;s MG will have to overcome to thrive in Europe.

They have made a promising start.

Of new EVs sold in Europe so far this year, 8 were made by Chinese brands, up from 6 last year and 4 in 2021, according to autos consultancy Inovev.

And more are coming. At least 11 new, massmarket, Chinamade EVs will launch in Europe by 2025, according to a study by Allianz.

Western automakers are rattled, with Carlos Tavares, the CEO of PeugeottoFiat carmaker Stellantis, warning last month of an invasion of cheap Chinese EVs in Europe.

But they are also fighting back with their own raft of EV launches and plans to slash manufacturing costs and prices, so the Chinese newcomers will have to be at the top of their game.

At a briefing last week in Beijing, Chen Shihua, deputygeneral of Chinas automobile manufacturing association, warned its members could be spreading themselves too thin in their expansion plans.

It isnt that smooth for our automakers to go global,…