Latin America and Africa are a juicy caramel for car manufacturers. And the Chinese industry is already moving file

The Chinese automotive industry has launched to the ambitious adventure to conquer the world. Yes last year We were talking about tariffs And both the United States and Europe looking for trying stop the expansion of the Chinese electric carnow we talk about huge ships from the main companies bringing their cars. But China Not only is your eye on Europe.

It is already moving towards Africa and Latin America.

Restrictions. Apart from bringing their cars to our borders, Chinese companies are moving forms for expand your dealer network in Europeas well as They operate their own factories. To ‘skip’ tariffs and restrictions, instead of manufacturing cars in the usual way, they do so by removal kits and put. But it is evident that these tariffs imposed on the electric car have been the trigger for the export to the West to cover other territories.

In fact, brands such as ByD came to rethink their international strategy in some markets, and those alternative destinations outside the traditional axis are those that have lower commercial protection and greater growth potential. Africa (the north, especially) and some Latin American countries stand out for their lower customs obstacles and local policies that encourage the industry.

Bridge. One of the clearest examples We have it in Morocco. The country has a solid industrial network consolidated by Groups like Renault or Stellantis (which, recently, He has had controversy By bringing its production to the country instead of keeping it in Italy), but it also maintains trade agreements with other countries.

Almost 90% of the vehicles they produce They allocate to export and its location is a Mediterranean and Atlantic door. That has caught the attention of the Chinese automotive industry, which is already managing agreements to implement battery manufacturing plants and other essential elements in the electric car in the area.

In addition to what is commented, the abundance of critical minerals As the cobalt is something that attracts the attention of both the industry and a China that does not intend to relax in the global supply chain of these minerals and Rare earth.

Unsatisfied demand. Morocco’s with Europe is a Situation similar to that of Mexico and the United States: It is a gateway to the market (something that Recent political movements They are staggering) and the labor is cheaper. It is also seen in the Byd plant in Brazil. But, apart from the interest of the Chinese battery industry, it also seems that they can fill the hole that other manufacturers leave. We refer to complete vehicles that leave the assembly chain with the aim of finishing in those emerging markets.

HE esteem That an increase in urban middle class in some countries is what can boost sales of the Chinese sector. South Africa, Algeria, Egypt or Nigeria, in addition to Morocco, are markets conducive to these cars, since vehicle ownership is very low in the continent (40 cars per 1,000 people) and the growth opportunity is huge. Egypt, for example, intends to Accelerate the transition to electricityand South Africa proposed at the beginning of last year incentives for the development of electric vehicles.

With Japan we have encountered. Interestingly, those who have a hand in the African market is … Japan. Well, not Japan as such, but Japanese brands. In European Central Station Podemos see That Masakazu Ohira, head of the Toyota Africa Mobility Department, said that the annual volume of new cars in Africa is 1.2 million (very low), but the second hand was about five million units.

This is, in part, that many Japanese get rid of their cars prematurely and these They are sent almost taught to markets in Africa and the Middle East In container. At destination, they get ready and get on sale again. However, China is already winning market.

Conquest. Wuling and Great Wall are two brands that are already selling their models in countries such as Kenya and the prices of these brands are usually between 20 and 30% lower than those of European, North American and Japanese. That is already an incentive, but they also give a after -sales support, which implies a guarantee for the consumer.

The consultant Alixpartners wait That the market share of Chinese brands in Africa and the Middle East goes from 10% in 2024 to 34% in 2030. It is something significant, but according to data from the Chinese authorities, from January to May of this year, exports to Africa have already reached 222,000 units, 67% year -on -year, with 58,000 of those units only transported during May.

And, although they are ambitious estimates, we must not forget that the strategy is double: sell in Africa and Latin America, but also manufacture in those countries to make the leap to more consolidated markets such as European and the American.

In Xataka | Chinese cars are “indistinguishable in quality” of Europeans. We do not say it, says the industry itself