Hungarian auto industry opposes protectionism for Europe's EV sector: association president

The Hungarian Automobile Dealers Association, or GEMOSZ, opposes the EU decision to impose anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, recognizing that protectionism "never saves" industries, said the association's president, Gablini Gabor.

On Friday, representatives from EU member states voted to approve the final ruling on the EU anti-subsidy case presented by the European Commission -- the executive arm of the 27-nation EU, which proposes the imposition of anti-subsidy duties on EVs imported from China.

Gabor said his association members are wary of the decision, emphasizing that trade barriers have always done more harm than good for countries that erect them.

"They couldn't imagine some years ago that the environment would change totally in the automotive sector. The first reaction was, oh my god, what happens here. We need to, we need time, we need time and the production will save us -- No. We know from the past, from the history, the protection never saves us at all. At the end of the day, the customer will decide what he or she wants to buy, what he can buy," he said.

Gabor noted that Europe was once a world leader in traditional fuel vehicles but times and circumstances are changing and China is currently leading the electric vehicle sector over European countries.

Stressing that many EU countries are unwilling to face the reality that China is leading the world in the development and production of electric cars, he said the EU should shift its mindset and confront the changing landscape with a cool head.

"The solution will come only after negotiation from both sides. As I know the Europeans also want to make a good deal with China. For the future solutions we need to cooperate. The Europeans don't want to fight against the Chinese, the Chinese don't want to fight against the Europeans. So this is the reason why the only way for us together [is] negotiations, negotiations and negotiations," Gabor said.

Hungarian auto industry opposes protectionism for Europe's EV sector: association president

Hungarian auto industry opposes protectionism for Europe's EV sector: association president

Sao Paulo has embraced the first of 14 five-car trainsets that China's e-vehicle brand BYD is supplying for the city's long-awaited monorail project.

Being plagued by delays, the construction for Sao Paulo's Monorail Gold Line was supposed to be finished for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. According to the government, the monorail will start running in the first half of 2026, more than a decade beyond the original plan.

"Let's see if it finally happens this time. It's already been ten years since it was supposed to be finished. Let's see if it will help the people at last. It would make my commute much easier. Here in Sao Paulo at any time of the day, you'll hit a traffic jam somewhere," said Matheus Brandao, TV camera operator.

All the trains that will service this line are manufactured in China, each of which are composed of five cars with a total capacity of 600 passengers.

Tyler Lee, president of BYD Brazil, said that the latest technologies are duly incorporated into their design.

"For this train, we don't have a driver. Like I said, it's totally automatic. And with the air suspension, passengers will feel comfortable taking this kind of train," he said.

As China continues to emerge in the field of new energy, the Brazilian government is eagerly seeking new cooperation opportunities.

Tarcisio de Freitas, Sao Paulo Governor, highly appraised the impressive performance demonstrated by Chinese companies.

"This opens the door to other investments, as we have the ambition in our government plan to greatly expand the monorail system. Obviously, we want to rely on the expertise and investment of those who do this with excellence, and who do it a lot. So, of course, Chinese companies are very welcomed," said Freitas.

BYD delivers first train of Sao Paulo's monorail line project