Understandable protectionism?
Chinese electric cars are becoming a lot more expensive in Turkey. Higher import tariffs already applied to Chinese EVs, just like electric cars from Japan, among others. They are now even higher.
An import tariff of 20 percent already applied to Chinese electric cars in Turkey, but soon Chinese electric cars will become even more expensive in Turkey. In Resmî Gazete, Turkey’s official government gazette announcing new or changed regulations, President Erdoğan states that the import tariff – which applies to all electric vehicles from China – will increase. It is not entirely clear whether the import tariff will increase from 20 percent to 40 percent or whether 40 percentage points will be added and the tariff will therefore be 60 percent from now on.
The increase in the import tariff on Chinese electric cars is probably related to the market introduction of the first cars of the Turkish electric brand TOGG. TOGG will soon be launching its first car in Turkey and it is not entirely coincidental that it is an electric SUV. It is quite possible that the Turkish government wants to protect its own car industry by effectively making Chinese electric cars more expensive. Like other European markets, Chinese brands are also targeting the Turkish market. For example, BYD is also coming to the Turkish car market. TOGG, in turn, will not only stay in Turkey, the brand also wants to market its products in the Netherlands, among others.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl