Car sales from China up by 44 percent

Over 5,000 new cars made in China were sold in Czechia in the first nine months of this year, a 44 percent increase compared to all of last year, the Car Importers Association announced on Thursday.

Despite this significant rise, Chinese-made cars still represent less than three percent of total car sales in the country, but their share in the electric vehicle market is much larger, over 30 percent.

The most popular Chinese-produced brand in Czechia is MG, with almost 3,000 vehicles sold this year. Tesla comes in second with 1,235 cars sold, followed by Honda with 658.

The European Commission has recently decided to impose countervailing duties of up to 35% on battery-powered vehicles manufactured in China, in addition to the existing 10% import tax, in order to eliminate the fact that the Chinese state is subsidising the local producers.