BMW CEO sees risk of cheap Chinese cars in Europe but opposes tariffs

BERLIN, Sept 22 (Reuters) - BMW CEO Milan Nedeljkovic backs voluntary pricing agreements rather than ‌tariffs to address the threat of low-cost ‌Chinese car imports to European industry, he told the newspaper FAZ ​in an interview published on Tuesday.

"Some Chinese cars are being offered here at prices that are not comprehensible from a business perspective," Nedeljkovic said, adding ‌that this risked ⁠fuelling protectionist tendencies in Europe.

The European Union is assessing measures to address what ⁠Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls an "unsustainable" trade deficit with China.

Some European auto executives and ​politicians have ​called for local content ​rules and expanded tariffs ‌to include plug-in hybrids from China, fearing a threat to their market share.

Nedeljkovic called for political dialogue with China aimed at reaching a common understanding of market-based pricing, followed by concrete measures.

"Additional ‌tariffs would constitute an even ​greater intervention, which is ​why I support ​voluntary agreements based on fair conditions," ‌he told the paper, adding, "Nobody ​is interested ​in an escalation."

BMW has repeatedly criticised current EU duties on Chinese EV imports and warned ​that such measures ‌risk a trade conflict.

BMW makes its all-electric ​Mini in China for export.

(Reporting by Rachel ​MoreEditing by Ludwig Burger)