Lotus Poised To Be The First Chinese EV Brand In Canada Under New Tariff Law - CleanTechnica

Lotus Cars is set to become the first Chinese-built electric vehicle (EV) brand to enter the Canadian market under a new tariff framework that allows a quota of Chinese EVs to be imported at a reduced 6.1% tariff. This arrangement, effective from March 1 to August 31, permits up to 24,500 Chinese EVs to enter Canada under this preferential tariff, a result of agreements between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and China’s President Xi Jinping. Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng emphasized the strategic importance of this opportunity, noting that growth in Canada could offset losses in other regions like the Middle East. The Lotus Eletre, produced at Geely’s Wuhan factory, is expected to be the primary model exported, alongside the newly introduced Lotus For Me plug-in hybrid. Lotus’s entry into Canada aligns with Geely’s broader strategy of leveraging globally recognized brands rather than pushing unfamiliar Chinese-branded vehicles directly into Western markets. Geely, which owns Lotus, Volvo,