Can EVs kill off petrol cars in China?
Electric-vehicle makers target less affluent heartland for next phase of growth
Electric-vehicle makers target less affluent heartland for next phase of growth

Hybrid pioneer’s push comes as rivals scale back their EV targets

Hit by high EV tariffs, Chinese auto groups have pivoted to selling cheaper, technologically advanced vehicles

Contraction in US and cooling Chinese demand are expected hurdles for market

Carmakers fear falling behind on scale and technology even as profit margins drop and officials lambast extreme discounting

Carmakers want to lower costs and accelerate development speed for small vehicles to survive the rapid rise of Chinese competition

Strategy pivot coincides with slowdown and fierce competition in world’s largest automotive market