As the world's largest car market, China has long been a battleground for the world's top automakers. In a significant shift, European premium brands such as Mercedes, BMW, and Audi have made the surprising decision to discontinue their plug-in hybrid models in the country. The move comes in response to changes in China's tax rules, which have made these shorter-range vehicles less competitive in the market. With the rise of local electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers like BYD and Geely, Chinese consumers are increasingly turning to homegrown brands that offer more affordable and longer-range options, forcing European premium automakers to reassess their product offerings in the region.
European premium automakers including Mercedes, BMW and Audi have eliminated plug-in hybrids from China after tax rule changes and superior local competition made their shorter-range models obsolete ...
