| Thanks for reading Hyperdrive, Bloomberg's newsletter on the future of the auto world. Read today's featured story in full online here. Chinese electric-car makers lost ground in Europe for a third straight month, in the latest sign that the move toward higher import tariffs is hurting sales. Chinese brands captured an 8.5% share of EV deliveries across the European region in September, down from 9.6% in the year-earlier period, based on figures provided by researcher Dataforce. SAIC Motor's MG unit led the drop, with a 42% slide in sales, according to Jato Dynamics, which also tracks the automotive market. The declines have persisted since July, when the EU introduced provisional duties on Chinese-made EVs, bringing import fees to as high as 45%. After months of talks failed to resolve the trade dispute, the new tariffs entered force this week. The EU ultimately decided not to collect the provisional duties, and officials from the bloc are headed to Beijing in a last-ditch attempt to find a resolution, Bloomberg News reported this week. The biggest loser to date has been MG, the British brand now part of Chinese state-owned SAIC. It drew the highest EU tariffs, with a surcharge of 35% on top of the existing 10% import duty. Once the undisputed leader among Chinese brands in Europe, it now is being challenged by BYD, a powerful newcomer to the region that's making a strong bid to establish a foothold. Despite the trade tensions, China's biggest maker of EVs and hybrid-electric vehicles has forged ahead, hiring local executives and planning factories in the region. BYD's European registrations jumped 162% in September from a year earlier, to 4,376 vehicles, according to Jato. All EVs produced in China are subject to the new tariffs, including those made by Western brands. Major European carmakers argued against imposing them, and Germany was one of five countries to vote against the duties. While China has threatened to retaliate, its Ministry of Commerce has expressed hopes for an acceptable resolution. If not, countermeasures could begin as soon as this month. The outcome of the US election could also shape debates over protectionism going forward. Across Europe, sales of battery-electric vehicles by all manufacturers increased 14% during September, based on data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. That made the EV segment a relative bright spot in an otherwise slumping auto market. Deliveries jumped 24% in the UK, as carmakers heavily discounted EVs to comply with a zero-emissions vehicle sales mandate. In Germany, where the government is discussing the potential of new incentives, EV sales increased 8.7%. According to Jato, Tesla's Model Y and Model 3 were the top-selling EVs in the region for September. The Skoda Enyaq placed third, while Volvo Car's EX30 came in fourth. The Swedish brand is owned by Geely and makes the EX30 in China. — By Anthony Palazzo  Uber signage on a vehicle in New York in August. Photographer: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg Uber reported weaker-than-expected ride bookings and issued a tepid forecast, sending its shares down the most in two years. The results will likely stoke concern from investors that its core US rideshare business isn't keeping pace during the holiday period. For years, the company has been investing into new areas across both its ride-hailing and delivery businesses in the US and abroad, where it's seen stronger growth. More recently, it's added transportation options to its platform including taxis, carpools and shuttles to airports and other venues. | 
