Recently, according to reliable sources, China’s leading electric vehicle company NIO Automobile (NIO) is actively considering a major strategic move-the acquisition of the Audi Automobile Manufacturing Plant in Brussels, Belgium.
Behind this move is NIO Automobile’s attempt to seize the historic opportunity of the global automobile industry’s transformation to electrification, while simultaneously solving the high tariff problem faced by its products when entering the European market.
Currently, Audi’s Brussels factory is at risk of being closed due to weak market demand for its main production model, the Q8 E-Tron.
NIO’s representatives have recently conducted on-site inspections of the factory and started preliminary bidding work.
According to relevant arrangements, NIO must submit a formal acquisition offer to Volkswagen Group next Monday.
Once this move takes place, it will not only help NIO effectively circumvent the 21% tariff imposed by the EU on Chinese electric vehicles, but will also lay a solid foundation for its further expansion in the European market.
However, in response to the acquisition rumors, NIO Automobile founder and CEO Li Bin quickly responded and firmly denied the authenticity of the relevant reports.
He said: “This is completely nonsense.
NIO maintains an extremely cautious attitude towards any investment project.
” At the same time, Volkswagen Group also confirmed plans to close its Brussels factory after the last Q8 e-tron comes off the production line.
This decision will directly affect the employment problems of nearly 3000 employees.
, It is worth noting that in the context of the global automobile industry accelerating its development in the direction of electrification, even traditional automobile giants like Volkswagen have to face severe challenges.
Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen Group, has publicly stated that with the transformation of the industry, the traditional advantages of Germany and even the entire European automobile manufacturing industry are gradually disappearing.
To this end, Volkswagen has suspended plans to build a new electric vehicle production base and postponed the launch schedule of several key models.
In contrast, NIO Automobile, relying on its positioning as a “smart electric vehicle”, while continuously introducing new products, is also committed to reducing production costs to improve competitiveness.
For example, its latest Lexus L60 electric SUV is expected to become a strong competitor to Tesla’s Model Y with a more people-friendly price.
In addition, NIO also plans to promote the model globally later this year, and will launch another new model called “Firefly” next year, which is expected to be priced below 30,000 euros in the European market.
Return to the first electric network home page>,.
