BYD, China‘s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, is recalling almost 97,000 EVs due to a manufacturing defect that could lead to fire risks, according to Reuters.

The Recall Details

The recall affects Dolphin and Yuan Plus models made in China between November 2022 and December 2023. The issue stems from a faulty steering control unit that poses a potential fire hazard.

BYD’s planning to have its dealers install a physical fix in the recalled vehicles. The company hasn’t said if any exported cars are affected.

Impact on BYD’s Sales

This recall’s hitting BYD where it hurts. The Dolphin and Yuan Plus were their top sellers in 2023, making up a whopping 26% of the 3 million cars they sold that year. That’s a big chunk of their business potentially at risk.

A Rare Misstep for BYD

It’s not often we see BYD recalling their pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars. They’ve been on a tear lately, becoming the world’s biggest seller of these types of vehicles. The last time they had to do something like this was in 2022, when they recalled a small batch of Tang plug-in hybrids because of a battery pack defect that could cause fires.

EVXL’s Take

This recall’s a bit of a speed bump for BYD, but it’s not likely to slow them down much in the long run. We’ve seen other EV makers like Tesla bounce back from similar issues. What’s important is how BYD handles this – their quick response and proactive approach to fixing the problem could actually build trust with customers.

It’s worth noting that as the EV industry grows, we’re bound to see more recalls like this. It’s part of the learning curve as manufacturers push the boundaries of what’s possible with electric vehicles. The key is for companies to be transparent and quick to address any safety concerns.

What do you think about BYD’s handling of this recall? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!