Many Chinese auto majors have pivoted their focus to overseas markets beyond the EU in recent months, taking advantage of fewer regulatory barriers in, for example, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Geely subsidiary Zeekr plans to expand its footprint from 25 to more than 50 global markets by the end of this year, despite retaining “very big ambitions” for Europe, executives told investors last month. The European Union’s additional tariffs on Chinese-made EVs are forcing Chinese majors to set up their own assembly operations on the continent. At least 12 new regional plants are being planned by Chinese car manufacturers, Dyer said. READ MORE: EU anti-subsidy EV probe: What Chinese automakers have done in Europe and what’s next