They dissect Chinese electric cars to understand their slashed prices… and discover this

In the world of electric automobiles, a surprising revelation has shaken up preconceived ideas. Japanese experts have undertaken a unique approach: disassemble Chinese electric cars to understand the secret of their competitive prices. This initiative reveals ingenious strategies that are shaking up the traditional industry.

Careful analysis of Chinese electric vehicles

A specialized workshop in Japan has embarked on an ambitious mission: to dissect several models of Chinese electric cars. Among the vehicles examined, we find:

• The BYD Act 3
• The Nio ET5
• The Tesla Model Y (made in China)

This in-depth study made it possible to analyze no less than 90,000 parts from 16 different models. The objective? Unravel the mystery of the reduced production costs which allow Chinese manufacturers to offer such attractive prices.

The results of this survey aroused keen interest. Recently, 70 Japanese auto parts manufacturers visited to take a close look at these technological trends. An unthinkable event a few years ago, which testifies to the upheaval of power relations in the global automotive industry.

Manufacturing secrets revealed

In-depth vehicle analysis revealed three key strategies adopted by most Chinese manufacturers:

1. Integration of multiple components into a single part
2. Maximizing internal production
3. Standardization of certain elements for several models

These methods allow a significant reduction in production costs. Take the example of the BYD Atto 3, marketed in China since February 2022 at the attractive price of around 18,000 euros. This model is distinguished by a reduced number of partsthus contributing to its competitive selling price.

However, this approach raises questions about quality. Some study participants noted weaknesses in the waterproofing of the battery in particular. This observation fuels the debate on the balance between reducing costs and maintaining quality.

The impact on the global automotive industry

The revelation of these Chinese production methods caused a real electroshock in traditional automobile industry. A manager at Nissin Precision Machines said he was “shocked by how few parts BYD and Tesla vehicles contain.” This awareness is pushing historic manufacturers to rethink their strategies.

Faced with this competition, several big names in the automobile industry are reacting:

These efforts are part of a race to catch up in the field of electric cars. On the other hand, the road remains long, particularly in Europe where the prices of electric vehicles have increased by 11% according to a study by Transport & Environment.

Towards a new era of electric automobiles

The dismantling of Chinese electric cars marks a turning point in the global automobile industry. It not only reveals the manufacturing secrets allowing competitive prices, but also the need for traditional manufacturers to reinvent themselves.

This rapid market evolution also raises questions about the future of automobile production. Manufacturers will need to find a balance between innovation, cost and quality to remain competitive. In this context, battery recycling becomes a crucial issue, both economically and environmentally.

While the automotive industry finds itself at a crossroads, one thing is certain: China's electric revolution has definitively changed the game, pushing the entire sector towards a new era of innovation and adaptation.