China is gaining influence over Europe’s automotive supply chain not only through vehicle exports, but through ownership of the companies that make critical components. Since the mid-2000s, Chinese companies have invested in more than 130 European automotive parts makers, mainly in Germany and France.
The strategic issue goes beyond ownership: “Chinese acquisitions can create significant supply chain risks, particularly when an acquired supplier is the sole source for critical components,” says Benjamin Bulander, Partner at Porsche Consulting, in an interview with the Financial Times. At the same time, European carmakers increasingly rely on Chinese technology and cost advantages to remain competitive.
For European automotive leaders, the question is therefore not simply how to reduce dependence on China. It is how to balance resilience, competitiveness, technology access, and supply security.
For a closer look at how China is reshaping Europe’s automotive supply chain, read the full Financial Times analysis (Paywall).
Read the full Porsche Consulting study „Automotive Industry 2026 – Restructuring as a Matter of Survival” to explore the key drivers of the current crisis, critical success factors, and the strategic choices that will define the next chapter of the automotive industry.