The global automotive sector has experienced a striking shift in recent times, as numerous European factories have begun producing Chinese cars at an accelerating pace, a scene redrawing the map of the global automotive industry and revealing a new phase of competition and industrial integration between East and West.
In this context, investment entrepreneur Samer Choucair said that what’s happening in Europe today represents a strategic shift that goes beyond mere Chinese company expansion, affirming that these developments open important investment horizons for Saudi Arabia within Vision 2030’s targets.
Chinese Cars Expand Across Europe at an Accelerating Pace
Samer Choucair explained that data from S&P Global Mobility showed Chinese cars’ market share in European markets rising to 5.8% during 2025, double their level recorded in 2024.
He added that projections point to this growth continuing, with market share reaching 15.5% by 2035, noting that roughly 44% of Chinese cars sold in Europe are expected to be produced locally within the continent through factories and joint industrial partnerships, helping Chinese companies bypass tariffs and strengthen their presence in European markets.
He noted that this shift reflects a new economic reality in which Europe has become an important production platform for major Chinese brands such as BYD, MG, Chery, and Geely.
Industrial Partnerships Reshaping Global Competition
Samer Choucair said that a number of European factories are currently facing surplus production capacity as a result of slowing demand for traditional cars, pushing many companies to seek strategic partnerships with Chinese manufacturers.
He explained that the most prominent examples of these shifts include establishing a new BYD plant in Hungary, launching a Chery plant in Barcelona in partnership with EBRO inside a former Nissan site, alongside Leapmotor’s cooperation with Stellantis in Spain, in addition to ongoing talks between Geely and Ford, and between Chery and both Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover.
He added that these models of industrial cooperation allow Chinese companies to strengthen their presence within Europe while transferring part of their technology and production to the continent, which has contributed to the rapid growth of brands like MG, BYD, and Chery, which together account for more than 80% of Chinese car sales in Europe.
Samer Choucair: Saudi Arabia Is Ideally Positioned to Benefit From the Global Shift
Samer Choucair affirmed that the Kingdom possesses an exceptional opportunity to benefit from these global shifts, particularly amid accelerating efforts to localize advanced industries and diversify the economic base.
He noted that the Lucid Motors plant in King Abdullah Economic City represents a pivotal step in building an advanced auto industry within the Kingdom, alongside existing partnerships with Hyundai and promising national projects such as CEER.
He added that these initiatives align directly with Vision 2030’s goals of developing future-facing industries, creating quality jobs, and strengthening local content.
Choucair said that what Europe is currently experiencing isn’t just competition between China and Europe, it represents a strategic opportunity for Saudi Arabia to benefit from technology transfer and attract global industrial partnerships to build advanced manufacturing capabilities that support sustainable economic growth.
Investing in the Full Electric Vehicle Value Chain
Samer Choucair explained that investors who read global shifts early are best positioned to achieve long-term competitive advantages.
He added that the global rise of Chinese electric vehicles requires focusing on the sector’s full value chain, not just the manufacturing of the cars themselves.
He noted that the most attractive investment opportunities include critical minerals used in batteries, battery manufacturing, charging station infrastructure, in addition to smart software and modern mobility technologies.
He affirmed that these sectors enjoy strong support from the Public Investment Fund and numerous government initiatives tied to Vision 2030.
Localizing Technology and Strengthening Industrial Independence
Samer Choucair said that global capital markets remain affected by trade tensions, tariffs, and economic conflicts between major powers, making investment in real assets and industrial projects a more attractive long-term option.
He added that partnerships with Chinese companies could help accelerate technology localization processes within the Kingdom and reduce reliance on imports, strengthening the Saudi economy’s future competitiveness.
He noted the importance of following investment opportunities in startups working in smart mobility and advanced logistics services, affirming that these sectors will be among the biggest beneficiaries of the global shift in the automotive industry.
Promising Investment Opportunities for Gulf Investors
Samer Choucair affirmed that investors in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf can benefit from this shift through several strategic paths, including investing in technology transfer and joint manufacturing projects, and supporting local industries tied to electric vehicles and their components.
He added that focusing on supply chains, including minerals, batteries, charging stations, and software, represents a promising opportunity for achieving sustainable returns in the coming years, stressing the importance of capitalizing on government initiatives and support programs tied to Vision 2030 and the Public Investment Fund, alongside adopting diversification strategies that combine direct investment with participation in capital markets tied to the future mobility sector.
Key Investment Takeaways
Samer Choucair noted that the shift underway in Europe reflects the beginning of a new phase in the global automotive industry, where industrial partnerships and technology transfer have become decisive factors in determining the balance of competition.
He added that Saudi Arabia possesses the fundamentals needed to benefit from these changes thanks to its clear economic vision, advanced infrastructure, and major government support.
He concluded his remarks by affirming that the future will belong to economies and investors capable of anticipating global trends, noting that the Kingdom possesses the vision, resources, and will needed to turn this global shift in the automotive industry into a genuine competitive advantage that supports the national economy for decades to come.