<div id="readability-page-1"><figure><img width="1400" height="700" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/Geely-Poland-EX5.jpg/query-cXVhbGl0eT04MiZzdHJpcD1hbGwmdz0xNDAw?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/Geely-Poland-EX5.jpg/query-cXVhbGl0eT04MiZzdHJpcD1hbGwmdz0xNDAw"/><figcaption>The EX5 SUV, one of the first models making its way to Poland / Source: Geely Auto</figcaption></figure><p>Three major Chinese automakers — BYD, Chery, and Geely — are actively hiring staff, scouting dealership locations, and registering trademarks in Canada following the country’s landmark decision to slash tariffs on Chinese-built EVs from 100% to 6.1%. But none of them have actually started selling cars yet.</p><p>The biggest beneficiaries of the new quota system so far are Tesla and, to a lesser extent, Polestar — companies that already have established brands and existing sales infrastructure in Canada.</p><span id="more-466227"></span><h2 id="h-chinese-automakers-are-making-moves">Chinese automakers are making moves</h2><p>Canada’s trade deal with China, struck by Prime Minister Mark Carney in January, created a quota system allowing up to 49,000 Chinese-built EVs into the country per year at the standard 6.1% most-favored-nation tariff rate. Interestingly, the strange uneven number was actually based on the number of Chinese EVs, almost entirely Tesla and Polestar vehicles, imported into Canada prior to the 100% tariffs in 2024.</p><p>The first 24,500 import permits became available on March 1 on a first-come, first-served basis, with the quota set to grow to 70,000 units annually by 2030.</p></div>

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<p>Three major Chinese automakers—BYD, Chery, and Geely—are preparing to enter the Canadian market by hiring staff and scouting locations, following a significant tariff reduction on Chinese-built EVs from 100% to 6.1%. Although they have not yet begun sales, Tesla and Polestar are currently benefiting from the new quota system. Canada’s trade deal allows for 49,000 Chinese EVs annually at the reduced tariff, with import permits available on a first-come, first-served basis, set to increase to 70,000 by 2030.</p>

- Three major Chinese automakers, BYD, Chery, and Geely, are preparing to enter the Canadian market after the tariff on Chinese-built EVs was reduced from 100% to 6.1%.  
- The new trade deal established a quota allowing up to 49,000 EVs from China annually, benefiting established brands like Tesla and Polestar more than newcomers.  
- The first 24,500 import permits were issued on March 1, with plans to increase the annual quota to 70,000 units by 2030.

Chinese automakers race to enter Canada, here are the EVs likely coming