Autos & EVs

In his articles and commentary, Kliment Robev follows how the car industry is being reshaped by three forces: the shift to electric vehicles, Chinese competition and tariffs. In his view, most traditional manufacturers are “stalling” because they have failed to make a smooth transition from internal combustion engines to electric cars, while investors no longer forgive losses and promises. He sees European brands in a “no man’s land” between Tesla and cheaper Chinese makers, and believes they can succeed only through speed, software and partnerships, including with Chinese companies.

China is a constant theme – from “Europe’s battle – on the pitch and off it” in 2024 to his commentary on BYD’s price war, which he considers good for buyers but a squeeze on margins and a push towards consolidation. Robev describes tariffs as a boomerang: European duties on Chinese cars merely buy time, while US tariffs make cars dearer. The sector is especially exposed, he argues, because its production is multi-component and global.

Tesla and Elon Musk form a separate strand. In 2025, in “Power and technology – Elon Musk’s mistake?”, he examined how Musk’s political role was affecting the company, and in “Mr. $1 trillion” he described Tesla as more than a carmaker – artificial intelligence made tangible in motion and robotics. In his view, Tesla should stay in the premium segment rather than enter a price war, and it needs a clear strategy independent of its leader’s moods.