Vauxhall owner Stellantis has unveiled two cheap Chinese electric vehicles that it plans to launch on the UK market from September.
The global manufacturer has supported the introduction of cheaper EVs from China, as Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares said the United States was being too protective of its interests.
Through a new joint venture, Stellantis has unveiled the Leapmotor T03 supermini and the C10 SUV which will be available to purchase from March next year.
The T03 is a small five-door which can travel 165 miles and comes in at a much lower price point than other EVs currently selling in the UK.
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The vehicles could cost as little as £17,000
STELLANTIS
The Chinese T03 model is expected to sell for roughly £17,200 in the UK. It is already on the Chinese market for as little as 49,900 yuan (£5,500).
Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares, explained: “We will soon be able to offer our customers price competitive and tech-centric electric vehicles that will exceed their expectations.
“[Leapmotors] have built a compelling worldwide commercial and industrial strategy to quickly ramp-up the sales distribution channels to support Leapmotor’s robust growth and create value for both partners.
“Whether I like it or not, Chinese manufacturers are grabbing share in Europe.
"I am trying to be opportunistic and leverage a dynamic that is already there. We have to move very fast and very aggressively.”
Leapmotor founder, Jiangming Zhu, added that he hopes users around the world can experience the “exceptional” driving and riding experience brought by Leapmotor products.
The shift to UK and European sales comes as the Biden administration confirmed it would be imposing 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese brands.
A senior White House official said: “China is producing at a rate and with a trajectory that’s far in excess of any plausible estimate of global demand.
“That is going to flood the global market with supply that undercuts our ability to build productive capacity at home and that of our allies and those of emerging market countries as well. That reduces our supply chain resilience.
“That leaves all of us across the world more vulnerable to economic coercion. And that’s why we’re taking these actions.”
The US is not the only nation to impose tariffs on Chinese electric cars, a similar measure is expected to be rolled out by the European Commission.
Last year, the Commission launched an investigation to discover whether Chinese EVs would underpin competition in Europe. At present, one in five cars in Europe are made in China.
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GETTYValdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade at the European Commission, said: "Competition must be fair. Imports must compete on the same terms as our own industry. Fairness is also the watchword for this investigation: we will consult all relevant parties, and we will adhere rigidly to domestic and international rules.
"We hope for full cooperation from all relevant parties. The outcome will be based on facts."
