BYD Taxi Ride Reveals What Makes America’s Automakers Uncomfortable
I have been waiting for my first ride in a BYD Co. taxi.
About a week into a recent trip to Singapore, I drove around in a few familiar cars ― mostly Toyotas, and one purple Jaguar. But I have seen BYD cars all over the country – BYD delivery vans, taxis, personal cars and SUVs.
I can’t say BYD’s general presence was surprising. Leadership at Detroit automakers has warned for years that Chinese-made cars are a force to be reckoned with. And just a few weeks before my trip I had written about why BYD in particular has rapidly grown to become the largest electric car manufacturer in the world, surpassing Tesla Inc. worldwide by 2025.
BYD offers cars with advanced features such as driver assistance systems and software integration that are often sold at very high prices.
BYD’s Price Advantage
BYD vehicles sold in Europe have an average cost of $45,083 in the United States, according to its website, although the company advertises pure electric models that start as low as $28,000. BYD’s best-selling model worldwide is the BYD Song, which sold 788,003 vehicles last year, more than the Tesla Model Y, according to the website CleanTechnica.com.
The Chinese automaker sells its cars in the country at a fraction of the cost, and a standard BYD car will cost $23,929 (US) in China.
I had heard a lot about BYD’s quality and affordability from industry experts last year, but I had yet to step into a working, road-legal Chinese car.
Like Riding on a Computer
The interior of the small silver car smelled sweet, leathery and soft to the touch. Singapore roads are modeled after English, so the driver’s seat was on the right. That meant the big screen showing our route was to his left, right above the company slogan “Build Your Dreams.” Like my previous rides in Teslas, the car’s quietness and reliance on software made it feel closer to driving a computer than a car.
My driver smiled when I told him that it was my first time riding in a Chinese car.
“How do you like it?” he asked.
“Good,” I replied. He laughed and said, “That’s why Tesla doesn’t work well here anymore.”
Most of my car drivers gave mixed opinions on what led to the success of BYD, the fastest growing car brand in Singapore. Another concern expressed is that the cars may not meet the same crash safety standards as other foreign car manufacturers. Like the United States, the country lacks significant charging infrastructure, so electric vehicles remain something of an ownership gamble.
Singapore’s Strict Car Rules
On the other hand, Singapore is very strict when it comes to the safety of pedestrians and drivers ― deploying advanced driver assistance systems or fully autonomous cars without rigorous testing is not allowed, one driver told me, which means that most every car is 100% human-driven regardless of what hardware or software comes from the factory.
The country plans to introduce more AV systems this year, but only about 19 autonomous vehicles were approved for public use in limited areas as of late last year in the country of about 6 million people, according to Channel News Asia.
Why BYD Appeals to Cost-Conscious Consumers
In just a few minutes, I understood why BYD made such a big deal for the money-conscious people in the market. I liked it better than the Teslas I’ve driven before. Pared-down EVs feel, to me, about as sexy as dental machines, but the BYD’s interior felt somewhat more impersonal than other base models I’ve seen. It was smooth, sure, but comfortable, a difference that can make a difference in this unique market.
Car ownership costs are expensive in Singapore: Certificate of eligibility, obtaining a driver’s license, and car maintenance and upkeep, regulatory fees and import taxes can add nearly $100,000 Singapore dollars to any car’s price tag. It makes more sense here to cut ownership costs where you can, and a cheap car with more personality than an expensive American rival is a no-brainer.
Just when I thought BYD was the only new player in town, the radio started playing an ad for another Chinese automaker, Stellantis-backed Leapmotor, which emphasized the family-friendly design of a mid-size electric SUV.
The ride was smooth, quiet and just…fun. I wasn’t thrilled with the experience (I preferred the Jaguar) but felt reluctant to get out of the car once we got to my hotel.
When I got out, my driver said he hoped I would be able to ride BYD again soon.
I found myself replying that I would like that too.
USA TODAY autos reporter Keith Laing contributed to this report.
Jackie Charniga covers General Motors for the Free Press. Reach out to him [email protected].
This article is from the Detroit Free Press: BYD taxi ride reveals why US automakers seem uncomfortable.
Reporting by Jackie Charniga, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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