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Forbes Bulgaria has published an analytical article on the structural shift under way in the European automotive industry, featuring market commentary from Freedom24. The piece examines a sector under pressure from several directions at once. Volkswagen is weighing a restructuring that could affect up to 100,000 jobs, first-quarter profits at Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and BMW fell sharply, and Chinese manufacturers are expanding across Europe at record pace, with BYD registrations in the EU up 152.9% in the first four months of 2026. Oleksandr Buiukli, Director of Freedom24 Bulgaria (Tied Agent of Freedom Finance Europe Ltd.), explained what this means for investors: "The European automotive industry is undergoing one of the most significant structural transformations in its modern history. Investors are increasingly focusing on which companies can successfully adapt to electric mobility, manage rising costs and compete effectively with the new generation of global competitors. The investment story is gradually shifting from traditional market leadership to future competitiveness." The analysis traces the pressure to three converging forces. For years, European carmakers earned a large share of their profits in China. The share of foreign brands in the Chinese market has fallen from 57% in 2020 to 32% in 2025, as local manufacturers pull ahead with their own battery supply chains, faster development cycles and roughly 30% lower production costs. At the same time, electrification requires European carmakers to finance new platforms, software and factory upgrades while EV sales in the region grow more slowly than expected. Tariffs on exports and weakening demand at home complete the picture. The analysis also highlights what is at stake for Bulgaria itself. The country's automotive supply sector generates over 10 billion euros in turnover and contributes around 11% of GDP, which makes the industry's transformation a matter of national economic significance as well as a major investment theme. 🚗 Read the full article on Forbes Bulgaria