Tesla CEO Elon Musk: Without trade restrictions, Chinese electric vehicle companies will “demolish” competitors
The CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, cautions that Chinese automakers, like BYD, pose a serious threat to international competitors in the EV industry with their less expensive models. Depending on trade constraints, Chinese automakers could achieve substantial success outside of China given their intense competition. Musk admits that Chinese manufacturers will crush the majority of other automakers globally if trade barriers are removed.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, stated on Wednesday that Chinese automakers will “demolish” international competitors in the absence of trade barriers, highlighting the pressure the leader of the US electric vehicle industry faces from competitors like BYD that are vying for market share globally.
Musk’s remarks follow the fact that, despite Tesla’s significant price reductions through 2023, the Warren Buffett-backed BYD surpassed Tesla as the world’s best-selling electric vehicle manufacturer last quarter thanks to its more affordable models and diverse selection.
During a post-earnings call with analysts on Wednesday, Musk stated that Chinese automakers were the “most competitive” and that they “will have significant success outside of China, depending on what kind of tariffs or trade barriers are established.”
“If there are no trade barriers established, they will pretty much demolish most other car companies in the world,” he stated. “They’re extremely good.”
Musk has good cause for anxiety.
In an attempt to court customers who were burdened with high borrowing rates, he started a price battle last year, which hurt Tesla’s profits and alarmed investors. Musk issued a warning on Wednesday, saying that Tesla’s current line-up was hitting “the natural limit of cost down.”
Tesla intends to begin manufacturing a mass-market, less expensive compact. A crossover dubbed “Redwood” will launch in mid-2025 to take on less costly competitors, according to Reuters on Tuesday. Tesla plans to begin producing its next-generation electric vehicle at its Texas factory in the second half of 2025, Musk announced on Wednesday.
However, Chinese EV manufacturers are advancing quickly because they are skilled at controlling prices through a reliable supply chain. Due to China’s abundant capacity and growing rivalry, companies are already focusing on quickly growing their international presence.
For example, to increase sales abroad, SAIC Motor has been ordering more vehicle vessels for its fleet to offset the cost of shipping. According to Spencer Imel, a partner at consumer research firm Lansgton, “automakers like BYD and Nio are middle-of-the-pack with reliability, durability, and safety, but they enjoy high demand in China with innovation like in-car technology and battery swapping.”
“That, we believe, will be an important ingredient and a differentiator in their future growth overseas,” Imel stated. However, he pointed out that American consumers’ awareness of Chinese automakers’ brands was still incredibly low.
Musk’s remarks coincide with the accelerating pace of the US presidential election. According to President Joe Biden, he “won’t let that happen” and China is determined to control the EV industry.
The Republican nominee for president this year, former president Donald Trump, has hinted that he will redouble his efforts to impose harsher tariffs if elected. He has called for a 10% universal duty on all imports into the United States and the removal of China’s most-favored-nation trading status.
Musk stated on Wednesday that while there was “no obvious opportunity” to collaborate with Chinese competitors, Tesla was willing to license other technology like self-driving cars and grant them access to its charging network.
In regards to Chinese EV manufacturers, Europe has likewise adopted a protectionist posture. To shield European Union manufacturers from lower-priced Chinese electric vehicle imports that it claims are gaining access to government subsidies, the European Commission began looking into the possibility of imposing punitive tariffs last year.