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Japan is wondering how Chinese EV makers, like BYD, build electric cars so cheaply. After tearing apart BYD’s Atto 3, an all-electric SUV, attendees at an EV seminar in Japan asked, “How can it be produced at such a low cost?”

The Atto 3 was BYD’s first EV to launch in Japan in January 2023. BYD’s electric SUV starts at around $30,000 (4.4 million yen).

Since then, BYD has added two of its best-selling EVs to its lineup in Japan, the Dolphin and Seal, starting at $24,500 (3.63 million yen) and $33,000 (5.28 million yen), respectively.

After launching the Seal, widely seen as BYD’s answer to the Tesla Model, in late June, BYD’s electric sedan was already the top-selling imported EV by August. Now, Japan is studying how BYD and other Chinese EV makers produce vehicles at such a low cost.

The Central Japan Economic and Trade Bureau held a seminar earlier this month (via Nikkei) to explore the trends in battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Around 70 auto parts companies from Japan attended the event, where over 90,000 parts from 16 foreign electric vehicles were on display.

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BYD Atto 3 (left) and Dolphin (right) EVs in Japan (Source: BYD)

BYD Atto 3 EV teardown shocks Japan

The Atto 3, NIO’s ET5, and Tesla’s Model Y were showcased, but BYD’s electric SUV stole the show. Attendees asked, “How can it be produced at such a low cost?”

Like many of its vehicles, BYD’s Atto 3 starts at under $20,000 (140,000 yuan) in China. Its cheapest EV, the Seagull, starts at under $10,000 (69,800 yuan) in its home market. BYD is able to offer vehicles at such a low cost because it makes most of its components in-house.

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BYD Dolphin (left) and Atto 3 (right) at the 2024 Tokyo Spring Festival (Source BYD Japan)

Starting as a battery maker, BYD has an advantage over the competition. According to data from CnEVPost, BYD is the world’s second-largest EV battery maker. Through the first nine months of 2024, BYD held a 16.4% share of the global EV battery market, second to China’s CATL with 37.1%.

An EV battery can account for over a third of total vehicle costs, but BYD still makes nearly all vehicle components in-house.

An advantage over rivals

For example, except for the windows and tires, BYD builds all Dolphin components. In Japan, the Dolphin rivals Toyota’s top-selling Prius and the Nissan LEAF.

BYD also integrates parts, like its 8-in-1 E-Axle, which includes the motor, inverter, and reducer to reduce costs.

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BYD Atto 3 (Yuan Plus) in Japan (Source: BYD)

Sho Kato, department head of Nissin Seiki, who attended the event, said, “I was surprised at the small number of parts used by BYD and Tesla. Kato added, “Our company also hopes to use the experience gained from our existing business to enter the EV field.”

The EV display center opened in March 2022 and has attracted over 450 companies so far. New models, including Hyundai’s IONIQ 6, will be added by the end of October.

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BYD seal in Japan (Source: BYD)

Meanwhile, Japanese automakers like Toyota, have been some of the slowest to transition to all-electric vehicles.

Of the nearly 6.6 million vehicles Toyota sold through the first eight months of 2024, only 97,058 were all-electric, or less than 1.5%.

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Toyota EV battery roadmap (Source: Toyota)

Despite this, Toyota is promising that new tech, such as advanced new batteries and next-gen EV models, will accelerate the transition.

After dominating in China, BYD is eyeing overseas markets like Japan to drive growth. For the first time, BYD sold more vehicles than Nissan and Honda in the second quarter. Since then, BYD has continued building momentum, with its fourth consecutive record sales month in September.

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Genesis wants a bigger slice of the US luxury market with new EVs en route

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Genesis wants a bigger slice of the US luxury market with new EVs en route

If you haven’t noticed, Genesis is quickly making a name for itself in the US. The luxury automaker now has 60 sales outlets as it expands into new US states. With new EVs launching, Genesis is eyeing a bigger share of the US luxury market.

Hyundai Motor Group’s Genesis brand is quietly emerging as a powerhouse in the US luxury market. Genesis marked its entry into the luxury segment in 2008 as a Hyundai-branded model.

In 2015, Hyundai announced Genesis would become an independent luxury brand. Since launching its first vehicle in the US, the luxury brand’s sales have surged from 7,000 in 2016 to over 69,000 last year. It even outsold Nissan’s Infiniti.

According to Genesis, this is just the start. The Korean luxury brand wants an even bigger slice of the market as it eyes rivals like Porsche.

A big reason behind the brand’s confidence is its new lineup of stylishly electric models. Genesis sells three EVs in the US: The GV60, Electrified G80, and Electrified GV70.

After introducing the Electrified GV70 just last year, the electric SUV is already Genesis’ top-selling EV in the US. According to Kelley Blue Book, Genesis sold 2,343 electric GV70 models in the US through September.

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2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 update (Source: Genesis)

Genesis eyes a bigger share of the US luxury market

Altogether, the luxury brand’s EV sales reached over 4,600 through the first nine months of 2024, topping Porsche (4,291) and Volvo (3,644).

Genesis made a statement at the LA Auto Show, unveiling the updated 2026 Electrified GV70. The luxury electric SUV now includes more range and an NACS port so drivers can charge at Tesla Superchargers. It will go on sale in the first half of 2025.

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Genesis at the 2024 LA Auto Show (Source: Hyundai Motor Group)

Meanwhile, Genesis showcased its new GV60 Magma Concept at the event, its first dedicated high-performance EV. The brand sees its Magma performance brand rivaling that of Geman luxury brands like Mercedes AMG, BMW M, and Audi RS.

The Genesis GV60 Magma EV will launch next year, spearheading the brand’s “expansion into the realm of high-performance vehicles.”

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Genesis GV60 Magma EV concept global debut at Goodwood (Source: Genesis)

Genesis enhanced the battery and motor while fine-tuning the chassis, thermodynamics, and profile for more power and efficiency.

It also features an aggressive new design, sitting much lower and wider than the current GV60 model. Genesis added a Magma-exclusive sound system to give it a sports car-like feel in the cockpit.

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Genesis G80 EV Magma Concept (Source: Genesis)

In April, we got our first look at the G80 EV Magma concept, which could be a potential challenger to Tesla’s Model S Plaid and the Porsche Taycan GT Turbo.

The luxury brand is expected to launch its flagship electric three-row SUV next year, the GV90. Genesis previewed the ultra-luxury EV in March after unveiling the Neolun concept.

Genesis now has 60 sales bases in the US, with new stores in Washington, Minnesota, New York, and Florida. It’s also building 30 in Canada as it expands its presence in the North American luxury market.

The luxury brand is opening a new dedicated design center in California. The “Genesis Design California” will open in the first half of 2025 as it builds out its US network.

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No, BYD is not taking over NIO as fake rumors claim

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No, BYD is not taking over NIO as fake rumors claim

A rumor spreading like wildfire on social media claims BYD will be taking over NIO (NYSE: NIO) as the EV giant gobbles up market share in China. The rumor was posted by a suspected BYD employee, but NIO is denying the claim.

BYD acquiring NIO would be a massive move as China’s leading EV maker continues to dominate the market. But that’s not going to happen.

According to CnEVPost, NIO’s assistant vice president for branding and communications, Ma Lin, denied the rumors that BYD is taking over the company on Friday.

Ma posted a screenshot on social media asking BYD’s general manager of branding and PR, Li Yunfei if the person who posted the fake rumor was an employee.

Earlier today, the suspected employee claimed BYD and NIO were setting up a joint venture. In a Weibo post, the suspect said BYD would have majority control of the partnership with a 51% share while NIO would get the remaining 49% ownership.

Ma told Li that if it was, in fact, a BYD employee, he needed to issue an official clarification and apologize. If not, they can get the police involved together. Li also denied the rumors, saying the claim was seriously untrue.

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NIO Onvo L60 electric SUV at the 2024 Guangzhou International Auto Show (Source: NIO Onvo)

NIO denies rumors that BYD is taking over the company

This is not the first time rumors surfaced that BYD will be taking over NIO, but because it is a suspected employee, the post has garnered more attention.

BYD is on a major hiring spree as it ramps up production to meet the higher demand. The EV giant now has over 900,000 employees, making it by far the largest A-share listed company in China.

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BYD Dolphin (left) and Atto 3 (right) Source: BYD

After selling over 500,000 vehicles for the first time in a single month in October, BYD’s surge is heating up as the EV giant expands overseas for growth.

October was BYD’s fifth consecutive record sales month as it closes in on auto leaders like Ford in global deliveries.

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Onvo L60 electric SUV models (Source: NIO Onvo)

NIO is also gaining momentum, with sales topping the 20,000 mark for the sixth straight month in October. With output of its new lower-priced Onvo L60 electric SUV ramping up, NIO expects to continue seeing higher demand.

Ma said on Friday that NIO’s “recent situation is quite good.” The company’s head of PR added, “Cash flow turned positive in the third quarter, gross profit improved in October, earning an extra RMB 100 million, and Onvo (deliveries) will exceed 10,000 in December.”

NIO is launching its third brand, Firefly, with deliveries kicking off in the first half of 2025. The company expects sales to double next year as it works to become profitable by 2026.

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Hyundai recalls more than 145,000 EVs

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Hyundai recalls more than 145,000 EVs

Hyundai Motors is recalling 145,235 EVs and other “electrified” vehicles in the US, citing concerns about a loss of driving power, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday.

The NHTSA announced this morning that the recall affects selected IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 EVs, as well as certain luxury Genesis models, including the GV60, GV70, and G80 electrified variants, from the 2022-2025 model years, Reuters reported.

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2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)

It looks like the issue stems from “the integrated charging control units in these vehicles, which may become damaged and fail to charge the 12-volt battery. This malfunction could lead to a complete loss of drive power, posing safety risks for drivers,” the NHTSA stated.

If you’re an owner of one of these Hyundai models dating 2022-2025, stay tuned. Hyundai has not yet provided a timeline as to when affected vehicles will be repaired.

To make that happen, the company’s dealers will inspect and replace the charging unit and its fuse if necessary, NHTSA said. Free of charge, of course.

Importantly, no crashes, injuries, fatalities, or fires due to this issue have been reported in the US, Hyundai reported.


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