Support European Electric Cars
David
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 the 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 - and buying one supports also your own economy.
Tesla Boycott?
Totally valid. But Tesla did build a factory in Germany - real jobs, real investment in Europe. Meanwhile, Chinese EVs like BYD, Xpeng, and MG are flooding in. Shipped from across the world, no local jobs, and big privacy concerns.
Polestar? It’s Geely-owned (Chinese). And yes, they’re profiting from the war in Ukraine.
MG? Omg - not British.
What Actually Matters in an EV?
Buying a car is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. You might want to consider:
✔️ Spare parts will always be available, no matter what happens in the world.
✔️ Your data is safe - yes, even VW had a data leak, so no car brand is perfect, but some risks are bigger than others.
✔️ Support of local European jobs
There’s no absolute guarantee, but you can mitigate the risk of ending up with an EV that leaves you with a bitter taste in your mouth. This guide helps you make an informed choice.
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.
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.
