Zapping The Blogauto Test of the Cupra Born in Lapland
A lot of mainstream national media picked up without paying too much attention to the news that BYD had overtaken Tesla. Thus, BFM TV headlined “Tesla dethroned by BYD. Tesla dethroned by BYD. The Chinese group sold 640,000 electric and rechargeable hybrid cars in the first half”. Even in their announcement the wolf was visible.
Which quickly allowed this same BFM TV to release another subject “The Chinese BYD has not really overtaken Tesla as the first seller of 100% electric cars”. Practical, we make volume on one and the same information.
BYD number one… in electrified vehicles
So what happened? In fact, BYD released first-half results: 638,000 electrified vehicles sold over six months. “638,000 EV”… boom! We go headlong! Except that in these balance sheets, EV is certainly 100% electric vehicles, but also PHEVs for example. Whoops ! In terms of sales of electric (and non-hybrid) vehicles, BYD remains well behind Tesla. Tesla sold 564,000 100% electric vehicles in the first six months of 2022. A good performance that does not satisfy Elon Musk who still wants to ramp up, despite the concerns in various Gigafactories.
BYD is still making a nice close thanks to factories in places less affected by the pandemic and shortages. BYD sold 323,500 purely electric vehicles in H1 2022. On the other hand, BYD became number two in batteries, overtaking Korea’s LG. The leader in batteries remains the Chinese CATL.
For Tesla, the second half will be – once again – crucial. The manufacturer has delivered less in this first half and is experiencing production failures. To continue its march forward, Tesla will have to redouble its efforts and strategic decision-making “à la Elon Musk”. For the moment Tesla remains number 1 in EVs, but obviously many of them are watching for the first misstep.
to summarize
No BYD has not surpassed Tesla in the number of 100% electric vehicles sold. The confusion comes from a desire to see Tesla beaten, but also from a confusion between electric vehicles and electrified vehicles. Otherwise, Tesla is still the world’s No. 1 in BEVs.
