Wednesday 11 February 2026
Future of automotive industry between flexible tariffs and new geopolitical routes
The automotive industry opens 2026 by redefining the relationships between East and West. While the Chinese market shows a slowdown (-19.5% in January), pushing giants like BYD and Dongfeng towards a global offensive, Europe responds with a new "tariff diplomacy". The case of Cupra Tavascan sets an example: exemption from surcharges in exchange for commitments on prices and local investments outlines a viable route to avoid a head-on clash with Beijing. In this scenario, Germany is struggling: energy costs and bureaucracy are leading 72% of the supply chain to ...