China’s EV Price War Heats Up as BYD Faces Rival Scrutiny

The electric vehicle (EV) industry in China is witnessing a fierce price war, with BYD at the center of escalating tensions among top manufacturers. A recent Reuters article, highlights how competitors Great Wall Motor und Geely have challenged BYD’s pricing strategies and emissions compliance, sparking a broader industry shakeup.

Rivalry Intensifies Over Emissions and Pricing

The conflict traces back to 2023, when Great Wall Motor reported that BYD’s Qin Plus and Song Plus plug-in hybrids failed to meet China’s emission standards due to non-pressurized fuel tanks, which allow liquid to evaporate more rapidly.

BYD’s general manager of branding and public relations, Li Yunfei, confirmed on his Weibo account that these tanks, used between 2021 and 2023, complied with regulations at the time but were updated due to customer complaints. Tensions flared again last month when Great Wall’s chairman, Wei Jianjun, voiced concerns about the ongoing price war, noting the regulatory probe remains active.

Geely’s vice president, Victor Yang, publicly supported Great Wall’s claims at a Chongqing auto conference on Saturday, stating, “Wei Jianjun is a genuine, honest person and is our industry’s whistleblower,” according to videos posted by The Paper and other local media. This backing intensified scrutiny on BYD, which dismissed the remarks as “alarmist” but avoided commenting on the emissions issue.

Industry Impact and Regulatory Response

BYD’s recent price cuts, dropping the cheapest model’s starting price to $7,761.37 (55,800 yuan), have triggered a sell-off in auto stocks and prompted the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) to summon automakers to a meeting last week, as reported by Bloomberg.

Dealers are also urging manufacturers to halt inventory dumping, signaling economic pressure. This regulatory intervention could reshape EV pricing and production standards, affecting global markets where BYD holds a strong presence, even branching into Europa and the U.S.

The feud underscores a competitive push to dominate China’s EV market, now the world’s largest, with implications for Batterietechnik and cost efficiency. As the industry navigates these challenges, EV enthusiasts and professionals alike will watch how regulations and rival strategies evolve.

Photo courtesy of BYD.