But somewhere around 25% of the EV market.
For anyone curious, here’s a review from 2004 of a typical BYD sedan, the Seal. The review was mostly positive and praised the car’s good looks and practical interior. Unlike the Tesla Model 3 with which it compares, the interior has instrumentation in front of the driver as well as a big touchscreen, and more physical controls for important functions. On balance, the reviewer gave it 7 out of 10, noting that it could use more refinement. Surprisingly, it costs more than the Tesla Model 3, at least in the UK.
The CBC had an article about them and checked on comparative prices in Canada. They didn’t list either the Tesla Model 3 or the BYD Seal, but they had the lowest price for a Tesla Model Y as just under $50K, and the lowest for a BYD Sealion 7 at just under $55K. I’m starting to get the impression that despite their manufacturing cost advantages BYD isn’t offering very aggressive pricing.
Do you think that Tesla isn’t doing or at least capable of doing the same?
The US government wants to protect their people against Chinese spying. Nobody is protecting against American spying.
I just got back from a month in the Philippines and there were many, MANY, Chinese cars and EVs there. Not only BYD, which there were many, but I also spotted Chery, Geely, GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group), Denza, Hongqi, BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation), Haval, Jetour, and even MG. Yes, MG, the former British company Morris Garages but is now, per wiki, controlled by Chinese state-owned automaker SAIC Motor. The MG logo is even the same MG octagon as when they were the British cars from the 60s and 70s.
Some of these Chinese cars were BEVs, some PHEVs, and some ICEs. Diesel is still a popular option there, and these were sooty, smoky diesels. I didn’t not see any ULSD diesel fuel there. I’m pretty sure it’s eventually coming (I hope it is!), but that could be a ways off.
There were even many Vinfast EVs from Vietnam there. But I digress, we’re talking about Chinese EVs here.
Seeing all the Chinese cars was quite impressive. I was taking pictures all over the place — I have an album of 520 pictures of interesting cars/vehicles I saw there, and I plan to eventually post about them over in @Telemark’s thread, What's the most interesting car you saw today? . I’m still compiling my notes on them, but getting my notes prepped for this post is helpful.
I’ll whet your whistles with my pictures of the Hongqi e-HS9, a very impressive full size luxury BEV crossover SUV. Per wiki, this rig seats 7, has a range of over 300 miles, and its design reminds you of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan (and I have to agree); and, both were designed by British car designer Giles Taylor who is (again, per wiki) the current vice president of design and chief creative officer for the Chinese state-owned FAW Group’s Hongqi marque. He worked as a chief designer for Rolls-Royce, Jaguar and as an exterior designer for Citroën. His designs include the eighth generation Rolls-Royce Phantom and the redesigned Jaguar XJ of the 2010s.
Although I’m not a big fan of its front end design, overall the Hongqi e-HS9 was one of the most impressive cars that I saw in the Philippines.
I rented a motorcycle there, with a gas engine, and I did not pay attention to the charging infrastructure. But with all the EVs I saw, I’d imagine the charging infrastructure should be substantive.
The designs on many of those Chinese EVs were nice. Some were quite handsome vehicles. If these cars come into the US, Elon could be in serious trouble.