Canadians Are Warming Up To Affordable Chinese EV Imports

"Canada has broken with the United States on its approach to imported Chinese electric vehicles, allowing up to 49,000 of them to be brought in this year at a much lower tariff rate than before. But will Canadians actually buy these cars? One recent poll seems to suggest that more people are considering it todaya sea change from even two years ago, when they were more hesitant."

"In that survey, 53% of respondents said it wouldn't affect their buying decision if an EV were made in China. In fact, 15% said it would make them more likely to buy onealthough 28% said this would make a sale less likely. A similar poll from 2024 found that 61% of Canadians questioned said that they would be less likely to buy a car if it came from China, and only 9% said its Chinese origin would increase the likelihood of them making the purchase."

"Previously, Canada imposed a 100% import tariff on Chinese-made EVs, aligning itself with the U.S., but this backfired after China imposed its own retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports (mostly canola and related products). Canada has now cut the tariff rate on Chinese EVs to 6.1%. These new, much lower tariffs won't mean an immediate influx of cheap Chinese EVs into Canada. At first, it will make China-built cars from familiar brandsTes"

Canada has changed its approach to Chinese electric vehicles by allowing limited imports and cutting tariffs from 100% to 6.1%, with a quota of up to 49,000 cars this year. The policy aims to encourage Chinese automakers to invest locally and form joint ventures to build cars in Canada. Public opinion toward China-built EVs is shifting: a recent poll found 53% of Canadians say a car's Chinese origin would not affect their buying decision, 15% said it would increase likelihood, and 28% said it would decrease likelihood. A 2024 poll showed stronger resistance, indicating rapid change. Initial imports will come from familiar brands.

Read at insideevs.com