China’s EV market is booming, where many brands such as BYD, Xpeng, Aiways, NIO, etc., are finding new routes to the international market for their electric vehicles. The latest example proving the new Chinese EV’s hitting international markets comes from BYD, the brand has shipped 100 all-electric BYD Tang SUVs on June 7 from Shanghai, and another 1,500 will be shipped from the Shanghai port before 2021 ends.
These all-electric BYD SUVs will reach the Norwegian dealerships by the end of summer. The car dealer network (RSA), with a successful history in promoting many automobile brands in Norway, will distribute the new Chinese EVs. This partnership marked BYD’s first step in securing smooth distribution of their newly dispatched all-electric vehicles and future growth in the international markets.
A BYD press release reads, “We have partnered the foremost Scandinavian car distributor, RSA, to deliver sales, service back-up and parts distribution, drawing on its world-class expertise and proven track record in supporting many leading automotive brands in Norway via its extensive dealer network.”
The new BYD SUVs shipped from the Shanghai Port packs an 86.4 kWh Blade Battery, offering a WLTP range of 249 miles (400 km). The seven-seat Chinese SUV would have a starting price tag of $71,816 (599,900 NOK, or €59,308), making it a competitive deal owing to give a tough time to other EV brands in the European market.
“Today is truly the start of the European dream for BYD and our passenger car ambitions,” said the BYD Managing Director Isbrand Ho, reported Insider EVs. “With the new BYD Tang, we have a fantastic new SUV for the Norwegian market, and one we are confident will provide a springboard into markets across Europe. The BYD Tang is an SUV which combines Chinese heritage with the flair of European design — a creative expression of Wolfgang Egger’s design team, and a car which is more than a match for the current market players.” “The BYD Tang is an exceptionally well-equipped car for today’s family-orientated (sic) and climate-aware motorist,” added Ho.
The development of the new Chinese SUV for the European market is based on a low-cost R&D strategy, hence packing the initial competitive advantage relating to the price tag. With the automobile industry shifting towards EVs at an unbelievable pace, the companies that introduced the initial EVs are facing a fair share of competition, proving it is the fact that BYD outnumbered Tesla in sales last year. For this year, the Chinese brand plans to expand its sales horizons to the international markets, expecting new booms in its sales.
The coming year holds the answers about who wins the race for most sales amongst the BYD’s Tang SUV and the long-awaited Tesla’s Model S Plaid. The latter comes at a price tag double the price of the Chinese SUV. However, it also packs a range of 627 km and a recorded 0-100 km/h in 1.99 seconds. Time will tell if saving cost is more valuable or reaching higher speeds for the European customers.
