In an interview published Wednesday, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares claimed that despite the French government’s demand for more locally made automobiles, the electric Peugeot e-208 would remain produced in Spain.
“The economic equation link to the imposed relocation of this project would not be in the interest of the company nor the country,” Tavares told the newspaper Le Figaro.
European carmakers plan cheaper EVs thanks to government subsidies.
France intends a subsidy for European-made EVs since they have a lighter carbon footprint than imported ones and a monthly social leasing program for poorer households at 100 euros ($108).
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire suggested building tiny electric automobiles alongside high-end versions.
“Carlos Tavares likes difficulties…I dare him to develop French electric cars like the 208. “Maybe not the whole car, but why not parts,” he told BFM TV.
Last month, Stellantis, the world’s No.3 carmaker, announced it would launch the Citroën e-C3, its first European-made inexpensive electric car, in mid-October to compete with Chinese rivals.
Chinese EV manufacturers considered a threat to European carmakers, have increased the need for cheaper European models.
“The results will tell us who made the right call amidst the Chinese competition,” Tavares told Le Figaro, adding that Chinese carmakers’ European expenses were 20-25% lower than European businesses.
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