BYD and Geely have spoken out one after another, new consensus has been reached on China-EU automobile trade, with seven major automakers making statements in a single day.

Multiple consensuses have been reached at the China-EU trade and investment consultation, with a number of automakers releasing collective statements today.

CheDongXi October 14 News: A few days ago, at the second regular meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism held in Beijing, the two sides reached an understanding on hybrid vehicle trade, recalled the guidance document on price undertakings in the electric vehicle anti-subsidy case, and will continue the relevant procedures for corporate price undertakings and review in the electric vehicle anti-subsidy case.

Joint Statement of the Second Regular Meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism

As of press time today, seven automotive groups including Geely Holding Group, BYD, Chery Group, GAC Group, Great Wall Motors, Dongfeng Motor and Changan Automobile have successively released statements. The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers also issued a statement, mainly expressing support for and welcoming the positive outcomes achieved at the second regular meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism.

Among these automakers, Chery Group's single-month export volume in the just past September exceeded 200,000 units again, with total exports of 1.5512 million units in the first three quarters of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 65.6%; BYD's overseas sales of passenger cars and pickup trucks in September reached 179,900 units, a year-on-year increase of 153.9%. The export performance of automakers including Geely Holding Group, GAC Group and Great Wall Motors is also outstanding.

BYD's overseas sales of passenger cars and pickup trucks in September

Then the question arises: Why have the outcomes of this consultation prompted automakers to speak out collectively? What signals have European automakers released?

01. Chinese and European automakers have spoken out one after another, and the CEO of Volkswagen said it is facing competitive pressure

What on earth is the relationship between this China-EU consultation and the automakers that have made statements one after another?

From October 8 to 9, 2026, Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of China, and Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, held the second regular meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism in Beijing.

Joint Statement of the Second Regular Meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism

The list of outcomes and consensuses mentions that after intensive consultations, the two sides reached an understanding on hybrid vehicle trade in a way consistent with WTO rules. At the same time, the two sides recalled the guidance document on price undertakings in the electric vehicle anti-subsidy case, and will continue the relevant procedures for corporate price undertakings and review in the electric vehicle anti-subsidy case.

Content in the list of outcomes and consensuses

According to the news released by Yuyuan Tantian, after more than 30 rounds of consultations, the two sides reached an upward arrangement based on the number of hybrid vehicles imported by the EU from China in 2025, and there will be a fixed annual growth rate in subsequent years, which can ensure the export space and stable growth of Chinese enterprises.

On this basis, the two sides clarified that the quota for China will not be lower than that of any other import source of the EU.

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce mentioned in answering reporters' questions on the China-EU consultation consensus on hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles that according to data from Eurostat, the EU imported 107,000 hybrid vehicles from China in 2024 and 302,000 units in 2025.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answers reporters' questions

At present, the export of Chinese automakers to Europe will be affected by relevant factors. Precisely because it concerns their vital interests, the domestic automotive industry has responded quickly.

Geely Holding Group released a statement at 9:01 today, expressing welcome and support for the positive outcomes achieved at the second regular meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism, stating that it will adhere to open cooperation, operate in accordance with laws and regulations, and actively expand exchanges and cooperation with European industrial partners.

Statement released by Geely Holding Group

Chery Group posted an article at 13:08 today, stating that it supports the positive outcomes achieved by the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism, will deeply cultivate the European and global markets, deeply integrate into the economic and social development of local regions, and work with all parties to promote the transformation and upgrading of the global automotive industry.

Chery Group says it supports the positive outcomes achieved by the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism

Subsequently at 13:47, BYD released a statement on the automotive sector outcomes of the second regular meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism, stating that it pays close attention to the important consensus reached in this consultation, and believes that the consultation outcomes "effectively manage and control trade differences, avoid escalation of frictions, and take into account the actual situation and reasonable concerns of both the Chinese and EU industries".

Statement released by BYD

At 16:22 today, GAC Group released a statement on supporting the consensus reached by the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism, stating that it will take the China-EU hybrid vehicle economic and trade consultation consensus as an opportunity to deeply cultivate the European market and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with European partners.

Statement released by GAC Group

Great Wall Motors released a statement on actively responding to the China-EU automotive trade consultation consensus at 16:27, stating that Great Wall Motors welcomes the positive outcomes of this consultation and will make every effort to promote the implementation of the consensus.

Statement released by Great Wall Motors

Dongfeng Motor released a statement on the consensus reached by the China-EU economic and trade consultation on hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles at 18:46, stating that Dongfeng Motor fully supports the positive outcomes achieved in this consultation.

Statement released by Dongfeng Motor

Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. released a statement on the consensus reached by the China-EU automotive trade consultation at 19:23. Changan Automobile welcomes and supports this, will continuously improve product competitiveness and overseas compliant operation capabilities, and steadily promote the business layout in the European market.

Statement released by Changan Automobile

At the institutional level, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers expressed welcome and support for the positive outcomes of the consultation in its statement, stating that this consensus helps stabilize the industrial expectations of both sides, maintain the stability and smoothness of the automotive industry chain and supply chain, create a more predictable environment for automakers to carry out trade and investment cooperation, and is willing to continue to play the role of a bridge to promote the industry to strengthen communication and coordination.

Statement released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers

On the other hand, what is the attitude of European automakers that take the European market as their base camp?

According to reports from multiple media, on October 13, Milan Nedeljković, Chairman of the BMW Group, came to China for the first time after taking office. He said that we should uphold open cooperation and continuously strengthen constructive China-EU dialogue. BMW has always firmly supported open markets and free trade, and also mentioned: "Open international dialogue is more important than ever."

Milan Nedeljković, Chairman of the BMW Group

According to Reuters, on local time October 13, Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen Group, said that the European mass-market automotive industry is facing "huge pressure" from Chinese competition and market changes. He once again called for more flexible regulatory measures and incentive policies to support local manufacturing.

Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen Group

Blume believes that Volkswagen is highly dependent on the mainstream automotive market, which usually has high sales but low profits and will be impacted by low-cost imported products. Blume said: "This business model is facing huge pressure in Europe."

The remarks of BMW and Volkswagen are not contradictory. BMW relies more on open markets and high-end market competition, while Volkswagen is in the mainstream price range and is facing multiple squeezes from costs, restructuring and the upward attack of Chinese brands.

02. Chinese automakers are at a critical stage of expanding into Europe, and the European automotive market is still growing

Why are automakers making statements right now? Because Chinese automakers are in a critical period of expanding into Europe.

A few days ago, the 202