Hyundai CEO warns US could face a wave of cheaper Chinese EVs unless protections remain

# What Hyundai is warning Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz told Reuters the United States could see the same influx of low-cost Chinese electric vehicles that has reshaped markets in Europe and the UK, unless existing trade protections and market-access rules remain in place.

Munoz cited data showing Chinese-built cars selling for about 30% to 40% less than comparable models in markets such as Italy, Spain, and France. He contrasted that with the UK, which did not adopt similar tariff protections and now shows Chinese brands among the top sellers.

# How the UK and Europe illustrate the risk Munoz used. The market has fewer trade barriers for China-made EVs, and electric vehicles have become more affordable than petrol cars in part because of that competition.

Data points Munoz and the reporting referenced:

• EVs reached a 29.8% share of new car registrations in the UK in August, the second-highest monthly share so far in that year.
• Through August, 355,746 EVs were registered in the UK versus 194,327 hybrids and 598,842 petrol models.
• Chinese brands captured more than 15% of new registrations in the UK through the first eight months of the year.

• BYD's cheapest model in the UK, the Dolphin Surf, starts at about £18,675 (roughly $25,000), illustrating the low-price end of the market.

# US policy setting and industry reaction

Munoz did not call for a blanket exclusion but urged maintaining conditions that prevent a sudden, unmanaged influx. Other major automakers have raised similar concerns. Ford CEO Jim Farley has publicly warned that Chinese automakers could become a severe competitive threat if allowed wide access to the US market, noting China's large vehicle-building capacity.

President Donald Trump said in a recent interview he would be open to Chinese automakers selling in the US if the vehicles were built domestically. That position contrasts with current tariff and restriction regimes that effectively block China-built EVs.

# What this means for US automakers and consumers

# Immediate takeaways Policymakers and automakers will watch trade measures, domestic production decisions by foreign brands, and how fast Chinese companies expand overseas production. For now, US tariffs and restrictions are the primary barrier keeping most China-built EVs out of the American market.