Chinese carmakers said they were not seeking to “overthrow” Europe’s legacy manufacturers with cheaper electric vehicles in an attempt to allay fears among European rivals over their aggressive international expansion.
Several leading Chinese carmakers including Xpeng and GAC in Paris for the biennial motor show pledged their long-term commitments to the European market amid a trade war between Brussels and Beijing and warnings of an “invasion”.
“We’re a 10-year-old company. We’re not going to overthrow anybody who’s developed over 100 years,” Xpeng co-president Brian Gu said as the company showcased an electric saloon with highly advanced artificial intelligence technology.