Ep #6 Simon Wright (The Economist) on Trump, EVs, China’s Rise & Europe’s Auto Future | At The Wheel

In this episode of At The Wheel, Tu Le (Sino Auto Insights) and Joe White (Reuters) sit down with Simon Wright, Industry Editor at The Economist, to unpack the forces reshaping the global auto industry.

From Simon’s provocative article “Trump, Friend of the EV?” to the growing threat of Chinese EV makers in Europe, the conversation dives deep into how policy, tariffs, and consumer demand are colliding across China, the EU, and the U.S.

We explore:
• Why Trump-era policies may paradoxically boost EV adoption in America
• The growing competitive pressure from BYD, NIO, and Chinese automakers in Europe
• How Stellantis, Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes are responding to China’s dominance
• Whether European 2035 combustion engine bans will hold
• The software and digital experience gap facing legacy automakers
• The future of autonomous vehicles in Europe and beyond

Simon shares insider perspective on trade, tariffs, electrification, and why the world is going electric faster than many expect.

00:00 Introduction to the Automotive Landscape
03:01 Trump and the EV Market Dynamics
05:41 The Global Shift Towards Electric Vehicles
08:46 Competition Between American and Chinese Automakers
11:54 The Future of European Automakers
14:37 Political Pressures and Market Realities
17:22 The Impact of Chinese EVs on Global Markets
20:20 Challenges for Premium Brands in China
26:09 The Shifting Landscape of Luxury EVs
29:06 The Role of Software in Driving Experience
33:57 Brand Loyalty in the Age of Digital
38:47 The Future of Autonomous Vehicles and Data Privacy

👉 Don’t miss this global deep dive into the future of cars, policy, and competition.