Europe's automakers are caught between two adversaries: Chinese automakers that are aggressively undercutting profit margins and EU dick tators

[DisobeyTyranny]

Global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in 2025 increased by 20 percent over the previous year, exceeding 20 million units worldwide, with much of the increase driven by Europe, where sales jumped by 30 percent, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

But even in a red-hot market, European carmakers are struggling to turn a profit on EVs.

50K LAYOFFS
Volkswagen, Europe's largest electric vehicle maker, announced in September that it would lay off 50,000 workers.

Stellantis, Europe's second-largest auto manufacturer, reported write-downs of 22.2 billion euros ($24.9 billion) as part of its EV "reset" in the second half of 2025, largely due to overinvestment in electric cars.

Operating profit margins at Volkswagen, Europe's largest carmaker, fell to 1.8 percent in 2025 from 5.6 percent in 2024, and the company announced that it would lay off an additional 50,000 workers, amounting to 15 percent of its workforce.

Europe's automakers are caught between two adversaries: Chinese automakers that are aggressively taking market share and undercutting profit margins, and their own governments, which have attempted to force a complete transition to EVs regardless of consumer demand.

In 2023, the European Union mandated a 100 percent elimination of tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions starting in 2035, effectively banning the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles, though it recently revised that to a 90 percent emissions cut.

Europe Went All In On EVs. Now Its Automakers Are Losing Out<!-- --> | ZeroHedge

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[CaptainTrouble]

Europe is a shitshow. The amount of bureaucracy is out of control. Europeans can't compete with the regulations and taxes they're held to. And I doubt China is actually adhering to the regulations in the European market; they're likely hiding things from the regulators because even if China gets caught and fined, there's a good chance that China will use its influence behind the scenes to ensure this doesn't happen and China has all the leverage.

There's no hope and no future for Europe until they dismantle their nanny state government.

Right now the EU is 95% of the USA in terms of economic output (GDP, PPP Adjusted). In 20 years this is projected to shrink to 80%. Nearly 1% a year.

If people think Canadian hubris and arrogance is bad, it's worse in Europe. Europe is a dead empire still pretending they're as relevant as they were in the 1800s.

 

[Glowie]

Okay so 2035 emissions cut 100%, check. Why buy an EV now? Just wait until post deadline.

Thats 9 years away, has anyone forgot how rapidly the retardation has spread in just 1 year?

Is there any doubt that EU will even be a thing by 203?