Sure, we’re no longer in the heyday of Detroit’s automakers, but Ford remains one of the world’s leading automakers. Tesla’s biggest competitor, BYD, could well overtake Ford in the global top 10.
In the 1970s, American manufacturers looked down on Japanese manufacturers. But it is clear that Toyota, Honda and even Nissan have managed to establish themselves throughout the world, undermining the economic health of certain American manufacturers.
And if some people still have trouble believing in the success of Chinese manufacturers, listen carefully to this: BYD is on track to exceed, worldwide, the volume of vehicles distributed by Ford this year. We’ll explain!
FORD talonne WORLD
And here, we’re not just talking about electric cars. On the one hand, because it is still a tiny part of Ford’s activities throughout the world, even if the manufacturer with the blue oval tends to extend its range with now three models: Mustang Mach-E , Explore and Capri. On the other hand, BYD also produces hybrid cars, as is the case with the BYD Seal-U DMi, now imported into France.
It’s all the more impressive for a young automobile brand to succeed in following the results of a giant like Ford, which itself invented the mode of production of modern automobiles with Fordism – we won’t do it again. ‘history…
BYD is expected to reach 4 million vehicles sold worldwide in 2024. For now, Ford is working on a base of 1.1 million vehicles per quarter, which would give, at the end of December 2024, around 4.4 million vehicles. distributed according to the figures released by Bloomberg. By overtaking Ford, BYD would strengthen and confirm its position in the world’s top 10.
Very good results in China!
BYD can thank Chinese consumers and the state for these excellent results. Indeed, car sales in this important market are boosted by government subsidies encouraging purchasing in China. Result: in October, BYD managed to distribute more than 500,000 vehicles worldwide. This figure surpasses that of Ford for the month of October 2024.
Even more impressive, in the third quarter of this year, BYD managed to outsell Ford by 40,000 units. The Shenzhen manufacturer has delivered 1.13 million vehicles worldwide, mainly passenger cars, but also a few thousand trucks and buses.
But still no sales in the United States
To achieve this, BYD can therefore count on the Chinese market, which is buoyant. The manufacturer is also established in Europe, where it distributes certain models such as the Seal, the Seal U, the Tang, the Atto and the small Dolphin. However, in Europe, BYD’s breakthrough is less impressive. The Seal cannot compete with the Model 3 which still offers more autonomy, the same goes for the Seal U SUV which remains in the shadow of the Model Y.
Also read:
BYD Seal test: finally a real competitor for the Tesla Model 3, but with some concessions
BYD also has a presence in emerging markets, including Southeast Asia and Latin America. However, BYD is not yet present in North America. And it is not the election of Donald Trump, elected on conservative principles, which should favor the arrival of BYD on the second largest market in the world, the United States.
On the other hand, Ford and other manufacturers undermined by BYD, such as Nissan and Volkswagen, forced to make layoffs to counter the erosion of their margins, are present in the United States but also in China. Although deprived of the American market, BYD manages to worry the world’s largest manufacturers, which demonstrates its full potential.
Also read:
Volkswagen shows very poor results with falling sales
Detroit experts realize the power of BYD. Tu Le, founder of Sino Auto Insights, a Detroit-based consulting firm, said: “ Legacy automakers are just collateral damage as BYD barrels toward becoming the world’s largest automaker. »
Europe is trying to protect itself
Faced with this dynamism from BYD, Europe is trying to protect its European manufacturers. To establish a lasting presence in Europe, Chinese manufacturers such as BYD are taking advantage of economic dumping supported by the Chinese government. The objective is to sell electric cars at very low prices to quickly gain market share.
Aware of this strategy, the European Union has decided to tax the import of electric cars manufactured in China. BYD sees imports of its cars into Europe being taxed an additional 17%.
Let us point out that in terms of electric cars, BYD is on the second step of the podium, behind Tesla, but ahead of Volkwagen.
