BYD Auto has rapidly expanded its presence to over 70 nations worldwide and has now reached another significant achievement.
Founded in Shenzhen, China, by a Chinese chemist in 1995, BYD initially focused on battery production. Shortly after, the company began supplying batteries to Motorola and Nokia, gaining immediate visibility in the market.
Due to its impressive growth, BYD acquired Xi’an Qinchuan Automobile in 2003, marking the start of its entrance into the automotive sector. Now, after 21 years, BYD has made history by becoming the first car manufacturer to produce 10 million plug-in vehicles.
Reaching 5 million NEVs in just 15 months
Manufacturing 10 million new energy vehicles (NEVs), which consist of both plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, is quite a challenging task. It took BYD 15 years to produce its first five million NEVs, but the company remarkably achieved the next five million in just 15 months.
The vehicle that made the landmark 10 millionth production was a DENZA Z9, presented to Feng Ji, the founder and CEO of Game Science, known for developing the acclaimed video game Black Myth: Wukong.
The DENZA Z9 can be purchased as a plug-in hybrid or an all-electric version. The PHEV model features a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine combined with three electric motors. It can accelerate to 60 MPH in just 3.6 seconds and has a range of approximately 680 miles. The battery-electric model, equipped with three electric motors, achieves 60 MPH in just 3.4 seconds and provides a range of about 390 miles on a single charge.
BYD is keeping traditional automakers on their toes
BYD has experienced rapid growth both in China and internationally. In 2023, BYD became the top-selling automotive brand in China, surpassing Volkswagen and contributing to financial difficulties for the German automaker. BYD has also established itself as the leading EV brand on a global level, outpacing Tesla for the title.
Forecasts suggest that BYD will outsell Ford in total vehicle sales by the end of 2024. In the third quarter of 2024, BYD sold over 1.1 million vehicles, with more than 500,000 units sold in October alone. So far this year, BYD has sold over 3.25 million vehicles in 2024, with a quarter remaining. In all of 2023, Ford sold slightly over 4.4 million vehicles. BYD is on track to potentially become the sixth-largest automaker in total sales worldwide, and if it surpasses Ford, it would be the first instance of a traditional Big Three automaker being overtaken by Chinese competition.
Currently, BYD does not plan to enter the U.S. market due to existing regulations. Canada has imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs, leading BYD to halt its expansion there. However, Mexico remains a potential entry point, providing BYD an opportunity to access the U.S. market. The company intends to establish a production facility in Mexico to manufacture the Shark PHEV, a plug-in hybrid pickup truck.
BYD’s swift growth has made it a competitor that established automakers can no longer disregard. Manufacturers that are slow to adapt may find themselves at a major disadvantage, particularly if BYD successfully enters the U.S. and Canadian markets.
Having already demonstrated its dominance in China by dethroning Volkswagen, BYD boasts production of 10 million NEVs—half of which were created in just 15 months—and a presence in 70 countries, positioning the company as a substantial threat that could significantly impact many major legacy automakers.
During the event, Mr. Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD, delivered a keynote speech reflecting on the company’s remarkable evolution from a small startup with merely 20 employees to a global enterprise employing nearly one million people. Mr. Wang emphasized BYD’s commitment to technological innovation and its pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation.
Achieving the milestone of 10 million NEVs illustrates BYD’s unwavering dedication to sustainable development. The company is now recognized as the first automaker in the world to reach this groundbreaking production figure. Notably, it took BYD 15 years to manufacture its first five million NEVs, and the subsequent five million were produced in just 15 months, underscoring the company’s strategic emphasis on new energy vehicles and ongoing technological advancements.
The 10-millionth vehicle, a DENZA Z9, was awarded to Mr. Feng Ji, the Founder and CEO of Game Science, who is the creative force behind the celebrated game Black Myth: Wukong.
Mr. Wang asserted that BYD’s success is founded on a vision that is bold, execution that is relentless, and perseverance that is unwavering. He credited the company’s accomplishments to its strong technological expertise and deeply ingrained engineering culture, stating, “The heart of BYD’s engineers is the heart of our company.”
To provide a comprehensive understanding of BYD’s organizational culture, Qin Shuo, a well-known Chinese financial journalist and author, conducted interviews with nearly 100 mid-to-senior level executives and employees. The insights from these discussions have been compiled into the book, The Soul of Engineers.
BYD Expands European EV Lineup With The Debut Of The SEALION 7 At Paris Motor Show 2024
Looking toward the future, Mr. Wang detailed BYD’s strategic vision and presented the BYD Basic Guidelines—a thorough document that captures the company’s core principles, historical insights, and prospective strategies. This framework is set to steer BYD’s ongoing growth and innovation in the upcoming years.
In the future, BYD is planning to allocate 100 billion yuan toward the development of smart technologies that merge artificial intelligence with automotive systems, facilitating comprehensive upgrades across its entire vehicle range. This investment will keep BYD at the leading edge of technological progress, ensuring it maintains a competitive advantage in the global marketplace while addressing the public’s desire for an enhanced quality of life. With a strong emphasis on engineering excellence and a commitment to sustainable progress, BYD is well-positioned to solidify its status as a world-class high-tech business.
BYD has celebrated two years of exceptional growth in Europe, evidenced by a strong presence at the Paris Motor Show, which underscores its dedication to the European electric vehicle (EV) market through an expanded product range and the introduction of its new SEALION 7 SUV.
SEALION 7 Tailored for the European Market
The highlight of BYD’s presentation was clearly the SEALION 7, a mid-size pure-electric SUV crafted specifically for European consumers. This most recent addition to BYD’s Ocean Series blends performance, functionality, and an attractive design.
According to BYD, the SEALION 7 boasts impressive specifications, including swift acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in merely 4.5 seconds and rapid charging capabilities of up to 230 kW. It incorporates BYD’s proprietary Blade Battery and Cell-to-Body (CTB) structure, reflecting the company’s technological expertise.
Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, voiced confidence in the SEALION 7’s appeal, citing its combination of SUV aesthetics, advanced technology, and performance as critical elements that will draw European customers. Despite a coupe-like roofline, the SEALION 7 provides ample headroom and cabin space, a feature BYD believes will resonate with European buyers.
Expanded European Offering
In just two years since its entry into the European market, BYD has more than doubled its product lineup. The company now offers eight models in Europe, including the SEALION 7, DOLPHIN, and SEAL U DM-I. The Paris Motor Show also marked the French debut of BYD’s luxury YANGWANG brand, showcasing the U8 SUV. Additionally, BYD launched the SEAL U DM-I, its first plug-in hybrid model in Europe, with an outstanding range of up to 1,080 km.
Michael Shu, BYD’s European Managing Director, emphasized the swift expansion, stating, “Now, just two years later, we have eight models to offer.” This growth aligns with BYD’s broader commitment to the European market, which includes plans to establish two local production plants within the EU.
Dedication to European Expansion
BYD’s dedication to Europe goes beyond its product range. The company continues to prioritize sustainable technologies and innovations in energy consumption, acquisition, and storage. Worldwide, BYD employs over 900,000 individuals, including more than 100,000 engineers focused on research and development. This extensive workforce has played a significant role in BYD’s recent milestone of producing its nine millionth new-energy vehicle.
The SEALION 7 is set to debut in France this October, with the initial deliveries expected before the year ends. While pricing details are yet to be revealed, they are anticipated “in the near future.” As BYD continues its global expansion, its strong presence at the Paris Motor Show highlights its intention to become a significant player in the European automotive industry.
BYD’s exhibition at the Paris Motor Show not only showcases its expanding product line but also its ability to adapt to European preferences and requirements. As the automotive landscape transitions towards electrification, BYD’s rapid growth and technological advancements position it as a formidable competitor within the European market.
Expansive EV Manufacturing Park
As the Chinese economy faces challenges, alongside the global economic landscape, some Western politicians and media have ramped up their smear campaigns against the second-largest economy in the world.
They selectively present information and misrepresent facts to support their narratives, such as “Peak China,” while overlooking China’s economic robustness and growth potential.
In response, the Global Times is launching a multimedia initiative that includes in-depth articles, objective analysis, and visual art to provide a thorough and accurate perspective on the Chinese economy. This is the 14th installment of the series.
Situated in Xiaomo Town within the Shenzhen-Shanwei Cooperation Zone in Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong Province, the BYD Shenshan Industrial Park represents a center of innovation in electric vehicle (NEV) manufacturing.
The complete electric vehicle (EV) supply chains, along with the favorable policies from local governments, have fostered a stronger sense of confidence and drive among companies, as reported by Global Times journalists during recent visits to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
BYD Auto Industry Co, based in Shenzhen, has reaped the benefits from technological advancements facilitated by this southern tech hub, which hosts a diverse range of manufacturers producing everything from battery packs to charging stations.
The industrial park, located 60 kilometers east of Shenzhen, aims to develop into a premier auto manufacturing hub. In addition to BYD, over 20 companies related to EVs, including BWI, Lear-DFM Automotive Seating, France’s Faurecia, and Gecko, have set up operations in this collaboration zone.
One new electric vehicle is produced every minute.
After taking a quick high-speed train ride from Shenzhen North Station and then a taxi, Global Times reporters arrived at the Xiaomo factory, where they were welcomed by the sound of heavy machinery and the sight of freshly manufactured BYD vehicles being shipped to a nearby port. The industrial park, which began functioning in September 2023, mainly produces BYD’s high-end Yangwang and Dynasty series.
With an impressive rate of one EV rolling off the assembly line every 60 seconds, the BYD auto industrial park in Shenshan has already hit its maximum capacity, yielding 750 EVs daily.
To gain insight into the operations of China’s largest EV manufacturer, Global Times reporters observed various production processes including stamping, welding, painting, and final assembly.
A notable feature was the stamping facility, which spans 140,000 square meters, where body panels and structural components are formed, and boasts a cutting-edge automated production line capable of creating an impressive 13 car parts every minute, as explained by Luo Qiuming, an engineer at the workshop to Global Times.
In the welding factory, reporters were amazed by the sight of numerous robotic arms working in unison to precisely weld car parts together. With an automation rate of 87%, this factory can produce a body-in-white in just 58 seconds, targeting an annual output of 400,000 EVs.
A highlight of the welding facility is BYD’s self-developed robotic arm.
“This robotic arm was developed by our own team, demonstrating the company’s commitment to innovation and independence, thus reducing reliance on foreign robotics firms like Germany’s Kuka and Japan’s Fanuc,” stated Xia Yuechun, the workshop manager.
After the painting process, the final assembly plant is where all parts are integrated. Workers carefully assemble the components and conduct thorough quality inspections before the vehicles leave the production line.
The factory exemplifies BYD’s strong supply chain, with auto suppliers located from Fujian to Jiangsu Province in East China, providing parts such as glass, weather stripping, and mudguards. Each new EV undergoes stress tests, dynamic tests, and rainwater tests prior to delivery.
Manufacturing prowess
Last year, Nikkei Business Publications, a Japanese business and technology media outlet, and Swiss investment bank UBS independently brought in engineers to disassemble and analyze BYD’s electric vehicle (EV) SEAL model.
The UBS analysis credited the car’s outstanding performance and cost efficiency to its specially designed blade cells, high cell-to-pack integration ratio, distinctive battery management system, straightforward manufacturing integration, and improved crash safety features.
Analysts in China suggest that such evaluations, which are common in the industry, signify a genuine acknowledgment of China’s automotive manufacturing strengths. Although foreign manufacturers can produce comparable EVs, replicating China’s scale and industrial ecosystem remains unattainable.
BYD’s vertically integrated manufacturing capability, refined through its experience in mobile phone battery production, distinguishes it within the industry. The company’s emphasis on core technologies like batteries, chips, and motor development enables it to compete in the global market at more affordable prices, as conveyed by Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD’s Asia-Pacific auto sales division, to Global Times.
“The core strength of Chinese EVs arises from large-scale manufacturing capabilities, rather than mere assembly skills,” Liu remarked.
BYD has been involved in research and development, manufacturing, sales, and services for EVs, providing holistic solutions for its clients. This strategy promotes greater efficiency and cost savings through economies of scale, ultimately leading to enhanced profitability, as stated by the company.
Going global
“Following a lengthy phase of ‘accumulation’, the auto export sector in China has now entered a phase of rapid growth,” stated Cui Dongshu, the secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, in an interview with the Global Times. Cui believes there is significant potential for the development of Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs).
“Vehicles manufactured in China have not only broadened their market reach but are also enhancing their quality and gaining wider market acceptance,” Cui noted.
Vehicles produced at the manufacturing facility can be transported to the Xiaomo International Logistics Port within five minutes, where they can be loaded onto roll-on/roll-off ships for export, according to details released by the Shenzhen municipal government. Data indicates that in 2023, the port exported a total of 20,000 vehicles.
In a strategic move to enhance its global presence, BYD, which surpassed Tesla as the world’s top seller of pure EVs in the last quarter of 2023, witnessed a remarkable 334 percent increase in exports, totaling over 240,000 units in 2023. The company has distributed its products to over 70 countries and regions across six continents, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
BYD’s ambitious plans for expansion in Southeast Asia, including establishing a manufacturing and assembly facility in Thailand and an EV manufacturing plant in Indonesia, demonstrate its objective to transform the global EV market.
In Japan, BYD’s SEAL model has gained attention due to its competitive pricing and superior safety features. Liu mentioned that the company’s strategy in Japan is not solely focused on competing on price but rather on providing a vehicle that adheres to high safety standards.
BYD’s entry into the international market is not merely about selling cars; it’s aimed at changing the perception of Chinese automotive brands, he highlighted.
Liu believes that the earlier low-cost strategy no longer characterizes China’s EV market. “For the Chinese automotive sector, a more practical approach to going global is to enter the international market with high-quality vehicles and choose the right time to introduce higher value-for-money offerings,” Liu explained.
According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), total sales of new-energy vehicles in China are projected to reach 11.5 million this year, representing a 20 percent increase compared to 2022, making this sector a significant contributor to the economy. China’s overall auto sales are anticipated to reach 31 million units in 2024, marking a 3 percent year-on-year increase.
Sealion 7 to Feature DiPilot 100 (God’s Eye) Advanced Intelligent Driving
On September 19th, the opening ceremony for the “BYD e-Platform 3.0 Evo and Sealion 7 Technology Experience Co-Creation Camp” took place at BYD’s production base in Changzhou. Furthermore, it was officially announced that in the coming October, the Sealion 7 will undergo an OTA update for the DiPilot advanced intelligent driving system, which will include six core high-speed navigation capabilities, such as automated ramp entry and exit, self-lane changing/overtaking, and proactive obstacle avoidance.
The BYD Sea Lion 07EV was officially introduced on May 10th of this year. The new model comes in four configurations, priced between 189,800 and 239,800 RMB. The Sealion 7 is the inaugural model developed on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo technology and is also the first medium-sized all-electric SUV from Ocean Network.
Revamping the Pure Electric Experience with Innovative Technology, Providing High-Quality Pure Electric Travel
As the first model utilizing the e-Platform 3.0 Evo technology, the Sealion 7 provides several advantages regarding safety, efficiency, and charging. Built on the next generation of CTB complete vehicle safety architecture, the Sealion 7 features the world’s first internal skeleton CTB safety framework. The strength of the regional vehicle body has been enhanced by 60% compared to the industry standard, while the passenger cabin’s deformation resistance has improved by 50%, boosting the safety of the entire vehicle and the cabin. This establishes a new safety benchmark.
Thanks to the ongoing technological advancements of the e-Platform 3.0 Evo, the Sealion 7 has redefined pure electric travel’s efficiency, delivering users a new electric experience characterized by low energy consumption and high efficiency. The Sealion 7 is equipped with the world’s first high-efficiency twelve-in-one intelligent electric drive system, which increases the energy conversion effectiveness of the entire vehicle. The system’s overall working condition efficiency can reach up to 92%, and the driving range for urban commuting is extended by 50 km.
In addition to its efficiently evolved drive system, the Sealion 07 is equipped as standard with a next-generation intelligent heat pump system that operates efficiently across a wide temperature range. It introduces the world’s first 16-in-1 integration module for effective thermal management and features intelligent dual-circulation technology for battery cooling and heating, which cuts energy consumption for thermal management by 25%.
By employing a dual-circulation design with four-zone compensation, heat exchange efficiency is enhanced by 20%, leading to a significant reduction in energy use. In harsh driving conditions ranging from -30°C to 40°C, the vehicle’s driving range in low temperatures increases by 45 km, while the range under normal temperatures grows by 60 km. This innovation overcomes the limitations of pure electric vehicles, fulfilling users’ requirements for driving in all terrains and situations.
Considering that finding supercharging stations is currently challenging while public charging points are more common, the Sealion 7 optimally leverages public charging infrastructure to deliver a fast charging experience without compromise. It is the first vehicle to incorporate intelligent current-boosting fast charging along with all-scenario intelligent pulse self-heating technology. When connected to public DC charging stations compliant with the 2015 national charging standard, the time required to charge from 10% to 80% state of charge (SOC) can be as quick as 25 minutes.
Its intelligent terminal charging technology addresses the industry’s long-standing issue of slow charging for the final 20%, decreasing the time needed to charge from 80% to 100% SOC from 30 minutes to just 18 minutes. This cutting-edge full charging solution helps mitigate users’ daily struggles concerning charging station availability and slow charging times.
As the inaugural model developed on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo technology, the Sealion 7 stands out in its exterior styling, interior features, and power capabilities. It continues the “Ocean Aesthetics” design philosophy with a unique X-shaped front and dual U-shaped floating headlights, giving it strong visual appeal. Inside, the Sealion 7 also adheres to the family-oriented design aesthetic of the Haiyang models, featuring a central console with fluid curves to foster a youthful and vibrant cabin environment.
The Sealion 7 provides consumers with multiple power configuration options. The 550KM Standard version features a motor with a maximum output of 170kW and peak torque of 380Nm. Both the 610KM Long Range version and the 610KM Intelligent Navigation version are equipped with motors that deliver a maximum power output of 230kW and a peak torque of 380Nm. The 550KM Four-Wheel-Drive Intelligent Navigation version achieves a combined maximum power of 390kW and maximum torque of 690Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds.
The Sealion 7 is anticipated to receive the DiPilot 100 (God’s Eye) premium smart driving OTA update this coming October. As Haiyang’s first medium pure electric SUV, it is expected to have a substantial market impact.
