Chinese Hybrids Under Brussels' Scrutiny, While McLaren Gears Up for SUVs

01 · Law & Trade

Brussels Sets Conditions for Beijing on Hybrids

The European Commission has decided to respond to the sharp rise in imports of Chinese hybrid cars and has proposed that Beijing voluntarily limit their exports to around 15% of the EU market. That's a significant cut, considering that this share currently exceeds 33%, more than double the proposed target ceiling [1].

The scale of the problem is best illustrated by the numbers: in October 2024, only 3,800 Chinese hybrids entered the EU, while by July 2026 that figure had already reached 50,000 — a surge that can only be described as an avalanche, one that in under two years has completely reshuffled the balance of power in the European hybrid car market [1]. Crucially, hybrids — unlike electric vehicles — have not yet been subject to high countervailing tariffs, which has made them a convenient loophole for Chinese manufacturers to grow their European market share without incurring extra customs costs.

Brussels has given Beijing until October to present concrete concessions. If the talks fail to produce results, the Commission has announced it will introduce new tariffs — similar to those that have long applied to Chinese electric vehicles [1]. For Polish drivers and dealers, this means the coming months could determine whether a cheap hybrid from China remains an easily accessible option or becomes a pricier, harder-to-find commodity. It's worth following how these negotiations unfold, as their outcome will be felt directly in showroom price lists before the year is out.