Cupra CEO, Wayne Griffithswarned of the risk of the new project Cupra Tavascan due to the effects derived from the tariffs imposed by the European Commission (EC) on 100% electric cars. Brussels has imposed a 21% tax on the Volkswagen Group car manufacturer – which was initially 38% – for the importation of this zero-emission model on the Old Continent, which translates into an increase in the price of 10,000 euros for each vehicle and this would force the brand to sell this model at a loss until it directly affects the future of Cupra.
This was stated by the German manager during a meeting with the media, as part of the international presentation of the new Cupra Terramarin which he underlines that “with the entry into force of the Brussels tariffs, not only is the Tavascan project in danger, but our company is in danger”.
The customs duties imposed by Brussels on the shipment of cars produced in China affect the Cupra Tasvascan, since it is produced in the country through a joint venture between Volkswagen and Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC). Initially, the European Commission registered the car with a 38% and after providing new documents, it increased to 21%, which means adding 10,000 euros more to the price of the car, taking into account that its starting price is between 50,000 euros.
Griffiths admitted that “tariffs are a big problem and a risk for the Cupra Tavascan project and when we developed this project there were no tariffs and they were not in our calculations”. “For us it is incomprehensible that a European, Spanish brand, with a clearly European car, designed here in Spain, with a platform from a European group that is the Volkswagen Grouphave higher rates than companies that are not European,” the German director criticized.
