The threat has been brandished by European manufacturers for months. China and its electric cars would threaten the European car industry. Looking at the French foreign trade statistics, the dynamics indeed seem worrying. France is experiencing a veritable boom in Chinese imports. These jumped 154% between 2021 and 2022, taking the Middle Kingdom from the 20e at 13e vehicle exporting country.
The phenomenon has accelerated further in recent months. Over the first five months of 2023, China moved up to 7e rank. It overtook Romania with Dacia, Morocco with Renault and Stellantis, South Korea with Kia and Hyundai, Sweden and the United Kingdom. But it remains well behind Germany and Spain, which dominate the ranking.