Chinese Automakers Accelerate Acquisitions and Factory Builds to Seize European Market Window

In 2026, multiple Chinese automakers are accelerating their efforts to establish localized production in Europe ahead of the anticipated implementation of the European Union’s Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA). The proposed legislation would subject projects from countries accounting for over 40% of global manufacturing capacity in key sectors—and involving investments exceeding €1 billion—to stringent scrutiny. Requirements under the IAA include a foreign ownership cap of 49%, a minimum of 50% local employees, mandatory licensing of intellectual property to EU-based entities, and compulsory local sourcing of manufacturing inputs. Companies including BYD, Chery, FAW, Geely, SAIC Motor, XPeng, and Leapmotor have already taken action—either completing acquisitions, advancing joint ventures, or initiating factory construction. These moves aim to secure local production eligibility before the law takes effect around mid-2027, thereby avoiding potential anti-subsidy tariffs on electric vehicles as high as 45% and solidifying market share. Chinese brands’ share of EU vehicle sales has surged from just 0.5% in 2021 to nearly 10% by spring 2026. Strategies among these automakers vary significantly: - BYD is building a 300,000-unit-per-year plant in Hungary, scheduled to begin production in Q4 2026, and is also seeking to acquire an existing facility in Southern Europe to shorten lead times. - Chery has formed a joint venture with Spain’s Ebro Group to assemble vehicles at the former Nissan Barcelona plant and is exploring contract manufacturing at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK. - Leapmotor will start producing models in October 2026 at Stellantis’ Zaragoza plant in Spain through their existing joint venture. - SAIC Motor announced plans to build a 120,000-unit annual-capacity vehicle plant in Galicia, Spain, with production expected to commence in 2028. - Dongfeng’s premium brand Voyah will be contract-manufactured at Stellantis’ Rennes plant in France. - FAW’s Hongqi brand is negotiating with Stellantis to utilize its Spanish facilities. - Geely plans to acquire part of Ford’s Valencia, Spain, production capacity. - XPeng currently relies on Magna Steyr in Austria for contract manufacturing and is in talks with Volkswagen regarding potential collaboration on a European production facility. Collectively, Chinese automakers’ planned production capacity in Europe is estimated to exceed 2 million vehicles annually. Meanwhile, the EU’s push for localization aims not only to revitalize idle industrial capacity and safeguard employment but also to maintain market dominance through equity caps and local content requirements. Going forward, Chinese automakers will face multifaceted challenges, including supply chain localization, upgrading aging production lines, managing labor relations, and navigating cultural differences in management practices.