Here's why BYD is shaking up MG and Tesla

This is the story of BYD, a brand still largely unknown in France, although it is the world’s leading seller of electrified vehicles.

With only 20 dealerships in France and a catalog of 5 fully electric cars available on the French market, BYD is still a young player. The public was able to discover this manufacturer at the Paris Motor Show, whose slogan is itself an invitation: “Build your Dreams”. That can be translated as “Build Your Dreams” or “Create Your Dreams”. It’s up to you to choose.

But behind these three initials is the world’s leading battery manufacturer with an annual turnover of over 58 billion euros. The group employs 600,000 people, including 90,000 engineers. One in two iPads and one in five smartphones contain components from BYD. In 2003, the group decided to enter the automotive industry, and in less than 20 years, it has become an undeniable player.

In the last quarter, Tesla once again sold the highest number of fully electric vehicles with 435,059 units, but its growth rate is rapidly declining. This has allowed BYD to re-emerge as a serious contender and to seriously consider overtaking Tesla soon. The Chinese company announced 431,603 battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales, only 3,456 fewer than Tesla. The two companies have never been so close to each other.

BYD took the opportunity of the French press presentation of its Seal sedan to conduct an astonishing educational exercise. Foremost is its Blade battery technology, which is sold to all the major automakers. This 800V blade format guarantees maximum safety and features a key technological characteristic. With a honeycomb core structure, these batteries contribute to the rigidity and safety of the chassis, forming a structural component in its own right. Then there is the 8-in-1 motor, integrating all the essential elements in a single block—from the control unit to the transmission, including the inverter. BYD claims an energy efficiency of 89%. Lastly, there is the TAC system, which, through intelligent torque management, provides unparalleled driving behavior and fully exploits the car’s capabilities. BYD manufactures all its vehicle components in-house except for the windows, tires, leathers, and brake pads. Who can say the same about the 100% electric market? No one.

Technology is one thing, but you also need to adapt to European markets, which are all different from each other and poles apart from Asian customs. To do this, BYD has assembled in France an elite team combining French-speaking Chinese executives and engineers, and former employees of Stellantis, Kia, or BMW, who master all the ins and outs of the French market. Don’t expect glittery advertising or punchlines from them. Their communication is polished, calm, sometimes even surprisingly humble. There’s no need to shout louder than others when you’re confident you’re the strongest.

By 2025, BYD will have 100 dealerships managed by the leading market players, including Bodemer, Chopard, and Bymycar, all equipped with workshops and staff trained in their proprietary technologies. Several models will join the lineup, including the Seal U, a plug-in hybrid SUV. With support from Société Générale for financing and Shell for the home charging network, everything is set to make the French market dream.