BYD would still have the cheapest EV in the US, even with a 100% tariff
Even with the new 100% tariff on electric vehicles imported from China, BYD would still have the cheapest EV in the US. According to a new report, BYD’s lowest-priced EV would still undercut all US automakers at under $25,000.
After discontinuing the production of vehicles powered entirely by internal combustion engines in March 2022, BYD has been at the forefront of the industry’s shift to EVs.
However, BYD has been building its supply chain for much longer. The company began building lithium-ion batteries in 1996. BYD’s batteries powered Motorola and Nokia’s popular smartphones in the early 2000s.
Its early ventures into the battery industry helped BYD become the industry juggernaut it’s known as today.
Since releasing its breakthrough Blade EV battery in 2020, BYD has continued introducing more efficient, lower-cost tech to drive down prices.
BYD’s cheapest electric car, the Seagull EV, starts at under $10,000 (69,800 yuan) in China. Its affordable electric and hybrid models are squeezing gas-powered vehicles out of China’s auto market, especially from foreign automakers.
BYD would have the cheapest EV in the US despite tariffs
BYD has no plans to enter the US passenger vehicle market (it already sells electric buses), the company’s North American CEO Stella Li said. If it did, it could hold an advantage over US automakers.
According to AutoForecast Solutions CEO Joe McCabe (via Nikkei), BYD would still have the cheapest EV in the US, even with the new 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicle imports.
The tariff will take effect on September 27 and is intended to “protect American manufacturers from China’s unfair trade practices,” according to a press release from The White House.
McCabe said BYD’s lowest-priced EV for the US would be $12,000. Even with a 100% tariff rate, BYD would have the cheapest EV in the US at under $25,000.
Tesla, which still holds a commanding lead (48% share in July) in the US EV market, has yet to break the $30,000 threshold.
Chinese automakers, like BYD, have an advantage with established supply chains, enabling lower prices.
Electric vehicles accounted for over 50% of passenger vehicle sales in China in July. In the US, EVs accounted for 8.5% of the light vehicle market during the same period, according to the latest S&P Global Mobility figures.
Chinese companies, including BYD and CATL, also dominate the global battery market. According to SNE Research, CATL (35.9%) and BYD (16.5%) led global EV sales in the second quarter based on shipment.
Through the first eight months of 2024, CATL accounted for 37.6% of the global EV battery market, while BYD took second with 16.1%.
Electrek’s Take
BYD is not planning to launch passenger EVs in the US, at least not in the near term. However, McCabe’s comments should spark concern among some US rivals.
As BYD continues launching lower-priced EVs with more range and advanced features, several US automakers continue delaying significant projects.
Ford canceled its three-row electric SUV, opening the door for overseas rivals like Kia and Hyundai to take advantage. GM is also pushing back its battery factory in Indiana and could turn to CATL for LFP batteries in the US, like Ford and Tesla.
Ford is shifting its focus to smaller, more profitable EVs after seeing the success of Chinese automakers like BYD. Ford’s CEO Jim Farley called BYD’s Seagull “pretty damn good” as he warned rivals of BYD’s advantage.
The fact is tariffs will likely only lead to more EV delays, putting the US further behind as the global auto industry shifts to electric.
Instead, investing in building a domestic supply chain, as it has with recent legislation, like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will incentivize US automakers. A stable US domestic supply chain would help reduce the price of EVs, lowering the threshold and promoting adoption.
Source: Nikkei
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The new CLA Shooting Brake is the first electric Mercedes vehicle available as an estate. It’s more spacious, more capable, and more high-tech than ever.
Meet the new Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake EV
Mercedes introduced the new CLA Shooting Brake on Tuesday, its first electric estate car. The Shooting Brake arrives as the second EV from the luxury brand’s new entry-level family of vehicles.
The electric wagon takes the best of the new CLA, which was revealed just a few weeks ago, and adds more space and capability.
It’s also bigger than the current CLA Shooting Brake, offering a more spacious interior. The new EV measures 4,723 mm in length, or 35 mm longer than the outgoing model.
With an extended wheelbase of 2,790 mm (+61 mm), the electric version offers 14 mm more headroom and 11 mm more legroom in the front. Rear passengers gain 7 mm of headroom but lose 6 mm of legroom compared to the current model.
Boot space is 455 L, which is 50 L more than the CLA sedan, but 30 L less than the outgoing Shooting Brake. However, it does include an added Frunk (front trunk) for an extra 101 L of storage space.
With all seats folded, overall storage space is 1,290 L. It also comes with standard roof rails, which Mercedes claims can easily fit surfboards or bicycles with a 75 kg (165 lbs) load capacity.
Inside, the new Shooting Brake is nearly identical to the CLA Sedan. It features the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) with its fourth-gen infotainment.
The setup includes a 14″ infotainment and 10.25″ driver display screens. An extra 14″ passenger screen is available. A trim piece with star-pattern graphics replaces it if not. All three screens are powered by the latest-gen chips and graphics from Unity Game Engine.
Powered by the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture and an 85 kWh battery, the new Shooting Brake EV offers up to 473 miles (761 km) WLTP range.
It will be available in single and dual-motor powertrains. The base CLA 250+ Shooting Brake has 268 hp (200 kW) output and a WLTP range of up to 473 miles (761 km). Meanwhile, the dual-motor CLA 350 4MATIC Shooting Brake has combined 349 hp (260 kW) and a range of up to 454 miles (730 km).
Based on its 800V architecture, the new electric estate can add 193 miles (310 km) WLTP driving range within 10 minutes. Mercedes said that should be plenty to get from Geneva to Milan or Berlin to Hamburg.
Mercedes will introduce new EV variants in early 2026, followed by a 1.5 L hybrid model. Prices will be revealed closer to launch, but it’s expected to start slightly higher than the current model. The current CLA Shooting Brake starts at around €40,000 ($46,500) in Europe.
Following the new CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch two SUVs. Check back soon for more info on the upcoming lineup.
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Rivian today announced a partnership with Google Maps on a new navigation system for its electric vehicles.
Rivian will continue to offer its own customized navigation interface on the 15.6-inch center touchscreen, but the underlying data is now powered by (the Automotive SDK from) Google Maps instead of third-party alternatives. Rivian cites customer feedback in making this change:
Instead of doing some small incremental improvements, we wanted to profoundly change our solution so that we make it the best navigation solution in the industry by combining strengths from both teams.
End users will benefit from fresh Google Maps traffic and “much better” routing (with improved ETAs and rerouting) information that includes crowd-sourced reports about construction, accidents, and other road disruptions. Rivian will also now show Google Maps satellite imagery in a sizable upgrade.
Rivian has already been using Google Maps for place information (hours, photos, ratings, etc.) and will now let you “tap on places of interest right on the map and learn more about hours, reviews, and contact information with just a tap.” More broadly, Rivian builds on top of Android Automotive OS and offers YouTube, as well as Google Cast.
Whether you’re about to embark on a long road trip or just trying to find the quickest way to run errands around town, navigation should be seamless, accurate and helpful.
Rivian owners will continue to have vehicle and condition-specific range EV estimates, as well as detailed information about charging stops.
Meanwhile, this Google Maps upgrade comes with a new design language that Rivian says “celebrates natural spaces in its topography and colors —from green parks to deep blue lakes and oceans.” There are also enhancements to “glanceability and easier access to information.”
These updates are also coming to the Rivian mobile app. Specifically, users can see traffic and traffic incidents, place photos/descriptions and satellite view (with a Connect+ subscription). Destination and trip sharing remains available.
Rivian Navigation with Google Maps is beginning to roll out today.
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People look at iPhones at the Apple Fifth Avenue store in New York City on May 23, 2025.
Adam Gray | Reuters
Apple and miner MP Materials announced a $500 million deal Tuesday for rare earth magnets and the development of a recycling facility that will reinforce the iPhone maker’s U.S. supply chain.
MP Materials stock climbed 23%. Shares of Apple were marginally higher.
As part of the agreement, Apple will buy rare earth magnets created at the company’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Both companies will combine on a new rare earth recycling line in Mountain Pass, California. MP Materials plans to start shipping magnets in 2027.
“American innovation drives everything we do at Apple, and we’re proud to deepen our investment in the U.S. economy,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a press release. “Rare earth materials are essential for making advanced technology, and this partnership will help strengthen the supply of these vital materials here in the United States.”.
Apple said the deal will create dozens of new manufacturing and research and development roles.
Rare earth magnets are key components that make up everything from consumer electronics such as smartphones and computers to cars and renewable energy systems.
For years, the U.S. has worked on curbing its reliance on China, which dominates the global rare earth elements supply chain. MP Materials operates the only rare earth mine in the U.S.
Earlier this month, the Department of Defense became the largest shareholder in the rare earth miner, buying $400 million in preferred stock to improve rare earth magnet supply on American soil.
Apple announced a plan to invest more than $500 billion to beef up U.S. manufacturing capabilities earlier this year. The plan included a new factory for artificial intelligence servers in Texas.
Shares of MP Materials have nearly quadrupled since the start of the year, pushing the miner’s market capitalization to nearly $10 billion. The stock has nearly doubled over the last month.
WATCH: Pentagon invests in MP Materials, guarantees floor price for rare earth minerals
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