Support European Electric Cars
Even if you don’t live in Germany, chances are a BMW, Mercedes, or Volkswagen supplier is employing your next-door neighbor. The European car industry isn’t just about the factories assembling the cars, it’s about millions of jobs in suppliers, logistics, software, and dealerships across the continent. Whether you’re in the Netherlands or Denmark, struggling to find a "local" EV, remember: VW, BMW, and Peugeot are as local as it gets, buying one supports European jobs and jobs in your country too.
Tesla Boycott?
Sure, it’s understandable. However, Tesla has created jobs in Europe, most notably with its factory in Germany.
Meanwhile, Chinese EVs like BYD, Xpeng, and MG are flooding in—shipped halfway across the world, no local jobs, and no accountability. It’s a one-way deal: they get our markets, we get their surveillance tech and supply chain dependencies.
And Mazda? They just resumed car sales in Russia, ignoring the war in Ukraine. Just like with Tesla, it’s not just the cars; it’s the whole package you’re buying into.
Polestar? It’s Geely-owned (Chinese). And yes, they’re profiting from the war in Ukraine.
MG? Omg—not British, just another Chinese brand in disguise.
What Actually Matters in an EV?
Buying a car is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. Consider this:
✔️ Will you have access to spare parts when you need them, no matter what’s happening in the world?
✔️ Is your data safe? No brand is perfect, VW had a data leak too, but some risks are bigger than others.
✔️ Are you supporting real, local European jobs, or just funding offshored manufacturing and profits?
There are no perfect choices, but there are smarter ones. This guide helps you cut through the eurowashing and make an informed decision.
Volkswagen Group
Brands: Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Škoda, SEAT (Cupra), Bentley, Lamborghini.
European Manufacturing: Germany, Czechia, Spain, Belgium.
Battery Sourcing: European plants (Northvolt, LG Chem Poland), some CATL (China).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~300,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Low – European-controlled data and software.
Stellantis
Brands: Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel/Vauxhall, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep.
European Manufacturing: France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Slovakia, UK.
Battery Sourcing: ACC (France, Germany), LG Chem (Poland), some CATL (China).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~250,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Low – European-based management and infrastructure.
Renault Group
Brands: Renault, Dacia, Alpine.
European Manufacturing: France, Spain, Slovenia, Romania.
Battery Sourcing: Verkor (France), Envision AESC (France), LG Chem (Poland), some China.
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~130,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Moderate – Renault EVs are Europe-made, but Dacia Spring is built in China.
Mercedes-Benz Group
Brands: Mercedes-Benz, Smart.
European Manufacturing: Germany, Hungary, Spain.
Battery Sourcing: ACC (Germany, France), CATL (Germany), Farasis (China).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~170,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Moderate – Chinese-built Smart EVs pose some privacy risks.
BMW Group
Brands: BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce.
European Manufacturing: Germany, UK, Hungary.
Battery Sourcing: CATL (Germany), Samsung SDI (Hungary), LG Chem (Poland), Northvolt (Sweden).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~90,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Low – European data storage, but reliance on Chinese CATL batteries.
Toyota (Japan)
Brands: Toyota, Lexus.
European Manufacturing: France, Czechia, Poland, Turkey, UK.
Battery Sourcing: Panasonic (Japan), some Chinese suppliers.
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~50,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Low – No significant Chinese risks, but limited European EV production.
Ford (United States)
European Manufacturing: Germany, Spain, UK (van production).
Battery Sourcing: LG Chem (Poland), SK On (Hungary), CATL (planned Germany plant).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~30,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Low – U.S. company, European data stored locally.
Hyundai-Kia (South Korea)
Brands: Hyundai, Kia, Genesis.
European Manufacturing: Czechia (Hyundai Kona Electric), Slovakia (future Kia EVs).
Battery Sourcing: LG Chem (Poland), SK On (Hungary), some CATL (China).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~20,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Low – No Chinese ownership, data handled in Korea/Europe.
Nissan (Japan)
Brands: Nissan.
European Manufacturing: UK (Sunderland, Leaf production).
Battery Sourcing: Envision AESC (UK, China), LG Chem (Poland).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~15,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Moderate – Some Chinese battery sourcing (Envision AESC).
And it goes down the hill from here...
We have ditched these manufacturers for doing biz in Ruz, for privacy concerns and for being morons (Tesla)
Volvo Cars / Polestar (Owned by China’s Geely)
Brands: Volvo, Polestar, Lynk & Co.
European Manufacturing: Belgium, Sweden (some Volvo models).
Battery Sourcing: CATL (China), LG Chem (Poland), future Northvolt (Sweden).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~40,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Moderate to High – Geely ownership raises data security concerns. Geely continues to make profits in Russia.
Mazda (Japan)
Brands: Mazda
European Manufacturing: No European presence.
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~650+
Privacy Concerns: Moderate. In May 2025, Mazda resumed deliveries of select models to Russia through its partners.
Tesla (United States)
Brands: Tesla.
European Manufacturing: Germany (Berlin Gigafactory).
Battery Sourcing: CATL (China, Germany), LG Chem (Poland), Panasonic (Japan).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~12,000+ (direct and supply chain).
Privacy Concerns: Low – U.S. company, European data stored locally, but high data collection.
BYD (China)
European Manufacturing: Planned Hungary EV factory (2025).
Battery Sourcing: In-house BYD Blade Battery (China).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~2,000+ (future Hungary plant, sales network).
Privacy Concerns: High – Chinese state ties raise major privacy and security risks.
SAIC (China)
Brands: SAIC (MG, Roewe, Maxus).
European Manufacturing: None (imports from China).
Battery Sourcing: CATL (China).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~Minimal (sales network only).
Privacy Concerns: High – Chinese state ties raise security concerns.
XPeng (China)
Brands: XPeng.
European Manufacturing: None (imports from China).
Battery Sourcing: CATL (China).
Estimated nr. of European Jobs: ~Minimal (sales network only).
Privacy Concerns: High – Chinese state ties raise security concerns.
