European Luxury Car Makers Abandon Plug-In Hybrids in China Amid Regulatory Shifts and Local Competition. In a significant move, premium automakers such as Mercedes, BMW, and Audi have quietly discontinued their plug-in hybrid models in China, a key market for these luxury brands. The decision comes after a change in tax rules that made their previously popular plug-in hybrids less competitive, particularly against locally produced electric vehicles that offer longer ranges and more advanced technology. As Chinese manufacturers continue to gain ground in the global electric vehicle market, European luxury car makers are now focusing on their longer-range electric models to stay ahead in the highly competitive Chinese market.
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 ...
