China’s BYD delivering EVs in Germany
Chinese EVs continue to roll onto the streets of Europe. Xpeng started delivering EVs to Norway in 2020, and today Nordic drivers can choose models from MG, BYD, NIO and Golden Dragon.
Now BYD, the world’s largest seller of EVs, is delivering cars to Germany, Europe’s largest auto market, following a 2021 launch in Norway and a 2022 launch in Sweden.
BYD introduced three models in Germany at the beginning of this year: the Atto-3 compact SUV, the Tang large SUV and the Han sedan. The company plans to introduce several more models in the coming months, and is reported to be planning an assembly plant in Germany.
It may take some time for the Chinese giant to make its mark in a country where domestic automakers already produce 90 electric models, and drivers are famously loyal to their local brands. Jan Grindemann, COO of Hedin Mobility Group, a Swedish firm that handles BYD’s imports into the country, told the New York Times that BYD doesn’t expect to conquer the German market overnight. “We need to build BYD up as a brand, and the way that we will convince people is through quality.”
However, BYD has already established a bridgehead in Europe’s electric bus market. The company has sold over 3,000 e-buses in Europe, including 5 units to Deutsche Bahn. BYD recently inked a six-year deal to sell some 100,000 cars to Sixt, a major European car rental firm.
: New York Times
