BYD's Executive Vice President Calls Out to Tesla: Our Common Enemy is Gasoline Cars

【PCauto】At a critical juncture in the global automotive transformation amid escalating trade tensions, Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, told the Financial Times, “Our common enemy is the petrol car. We need to work together to make the industry change.”

Currently, while electric vehicles are flourishing, petrol cars still dominate the global market. As key players in the EV sector, BYD and Tesla each boast distinct advantages. However, Stella Li contends that replacing petrol cars comprehensively with electric vehicles necessitates collaboration rather than relying solely on individual efforts.

Issues such as range anxiety and charging inconvenience continue to deter potential buyers and slow the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. On the international stage, trade frictions are exacerbated by the European Union’s high tariffs on Chinese EV, posing significant challenges for companies like BYD and Tesla in their overseas expansion.

Despite these challenges, Stella Li conveyed that Chinese enterprises are open to sharing electric vehicle and autonomous driving technologies with international partners. In an era where technological research and development grows ever more complex and costly, unilateral efforts may not suffice. Over years of advancement in the electric vehicle sector, China has accumulated a wealth of technological achievements, with BYD emerging as a leader. Its blade battery technology, lauded for its exceptional safety and extended range, has become an industry benchmark.

The European market has emerged as the cornerstone of BYD’s global strategy. To counter EU tariff barriers, the company is prioritizing localized production. Plans are already underway for factories in Hungary and Turkey; once operational, these facilities will facilitate local sourcing and manufacturing, significantly reducing costs and restoring competitiveness in pricing. Such expansion is underpinned by BYD’s successful stock issuance in Hong Kong, which raised $5.6 billion.

Regarding the U.S. market, Stella Li was clear that there are currently no plans for entry, and the establishment of a factory in Mexico is still under consideration. Given the uncertainty of U.S. trade policies and fierce competition from domestic rivals, a premature entry appears too risky. Instead, focusing on Europe and consolidating positions in other policy-friendly and high-potential Asian markets is viewed as the most pragmatic approach for BYD at this stage.

In light of the deceleration in the growth of the European electric vehicle market and supportive policies favoring hybrids, BYD intends to launch Seal U plug-in hybrid model. This model synergizes the efficiency of pure electric with the long-range benefits of hybrid technology, appealing to environmentally conscious European consumers wary of range limitations. Moreover, the company’s push toward premiumization is underway with the imminent debut of the DENZA series, which targets high-end consumers through exquisite design and superior performance, further bolstering the brand’s image and market responsiveness.

When discussing the allure of electric vehicles for Chinese consumers, Stella Li noted that intelligence, innovation, and high quality are key attractions. Today’s Chinese consumers view vehicles not merely as means of transportation, but as gateways to intelligent and connected experiences. Accordingly, BYD equips its vehicles with state-of-the-art features such as remote control and smart voice interaction, ensuring that their electric vehicles distinctly stand out in the market.

Through this interview, Stella Li showcased BYD’s global vision for the development of new energy vehicles, while also extending a positive message of collaboration and mutually beneficial opportunities within the electric vehicle industry, which also sent an appeal directly to Tesla.