BYD to push past Ford, Kia and Hyundai to be the number 2 brand in Australia, as 2026 BYD Sealion 7 and other electric car sales surge
Posted by Aussie_5aabi@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 176 comments
KumagawaUshio@reddit
Not surprising. After legacy automakers abandoned manufacturing in Australia any brand loyalty died the legacy companies just didn't expect China to grow so fast.
WIP1992@reddit
Toyota still running shit in Aus I see, the gap to second place is mental.
epihocic@reddit
Honestly it's kinda weird our obsession with Toyotas, they're just not that good of a car.
kyonkun_denwa@reddit
Come on now man, this is just low quality bait. Toyota's reputation is well deserved, some people cry about "muh drab interiors" but if you absolutely NEED your car to work then Toyota is a good bet.
I love my Volvo but I wouldn't take it into the Outback.
epihocic@reddit
They're solid reliable cars but lack modern tech and amenities. They make class leading commercial vehicles. Compared to competitors like Mazda, which has comparable reliability they lack tech, luxury and value. I don't see anything that justifies their market dominance compared to other OEMs and that's evident when you look at global markets. They sell well, but not to the same degree they do in Australia. We are fucking OBSESSED with toyotas here for some reason.
kyonkun_denwa@reddit
Toyota developed a reputation for reliability at any cost. In a country that's as hot as the surface of the sun and has huge expanses of desert, you probably value dead reliable over supremely comfortable.
Captain_Alaska@reddit
Mazda is definitely not any better than Toyota on standard equipment or tech, they're as bad as each other.
Toyota sells 26% more cars than the 2nd largest automotive group.
epihocic@reddit
Because they sell well everywhere. Again, I'm specifically talking about just how dominant they are in Australia. We are one of their very best markets, globally per capita.
WIP1992@reddit
This might be one of the most braindead comments I’ve read on this sub
epihocic@reddit
Why?
epihocic@reddit
Great chat.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
Dude we buy Ford, a company that makes basically 1 car for the Australian market (Ranger + Everest are 90% of sales). And we're talking about:
Hyundai, who are known for average cars at best
Kia, who are known for average cars at best
BYD, who seem to magically learn how to make a good car only when it costs over 40,000 AUD
I agree that Toyota's are overpriced but there is a consistent theme here, and it's valuing dependability over excitement or "good value". Which is the non-GR Toyota to a T.
Aussie_5aabi@reddit (OP)
Hyundai and Kia make brilliant vehicles.
We mostly get Korean made ones, not the problem ridden American made crappy.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
As someone trying to sell one currently, they make incredibly adequate vehicles, which was my point. They're not appalling but they're not exactly brilliant unless you've got an N badge on the front
epihocic@reddit
Same could be said for Toyota.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
that's the point
Aussie_5aabi@reddit (OP)
Toyota and Lexus are the best.
No one else can match their vehicles.
Aussie_5aabi@reddit (OP)
We’re a Toyota country.
Many of us are holding back on getting an EV until Toyota/Lexus release relevant EVs.
My mate just ordered a BZ4x Touring being released soon.
Captain_Alaska@reddit
In 2025 they were bigger than the 2nd and 3rd biggezt automakers combined by a decent margin.
henchman171@reddit
Excellent news!
DetroitLionsEh@reddit
I always wonder how much of the BYD excitement on Reddit is manufactured for social credits
opeth10657@reddit
Wish they had them in the US, most of our EV options are SUVs
Captain_Alaska@reddit
I hate to break it to you but the cars the Chinese manufacturers are bringing over involve just as many SUVs as Western bramds.
opeth10657@reddit
Which means four of them aren't...
FuckMyLife2016@reddit
I have multiple overlapping hobbies on reddit. Chinese manufacturing is slowly but surely taking over various consumer markets. And they're creating various niche markets of their own. Just off the top of my head: mechanical watches and its components, in ear monitor earphones, LED flashlights, wireless gaming mice and its components, mechanical keyboards and its components to name a few. As for markets Chinese brands entirely created on their own: high output chargers, powerbanks and USB-C portable solder irons come to mind. I'm sure other hobbyists like drone enthusiasts or others can also share similar Chinese manufacturing dominated markets. People are very much enthusiastic about Chinese competition: especially where they're accessible.
As for BYD and Australia. It's pitiful really. Aussie cost of living and their industrial focus on mining export obliterated their domestic manufacturing and car brands. So all their vehicles are imported now. And I'm sure they're not gonna mind Chinese brands that cost almost half of Toyotas and Fords that are inching ever closer to six figures prices.
H3rBz@reddit
You're right. Chinese are competitive in every single hobby im interested in. Mechanical watches, fountain pens, safety razors, cars and photography/camera lens. The common theme is you can get cheap crap. You can also pay a bit more and get very high quality products at a fraction of the price. If I was working in a sector like the above, in which the Chinese manufacturers were making inroads... I'd honestly be quite worried.
Lighthouse_seek@reddit
There's a reason why Australia has zero auto manufacturing since 2010, the country is simply too small to be effective at making cars affordably. They lack the scale. They also can't export because they're near Thailand which has a larger addressable market and has lower labor costs.
kstetter@reddit
It ended in 2016 for Toyota and Ford and 2017 for Holden. Holden exported a lot of Commodores
Captain_Alaska@reddit
Our cars are significantly cheaper now thst we stopped tariffing cars.
A top of the line Vienta (V6 Camry) in 1995 had a higher MSRP than a current midrange Camry without adjusting for 30 years of inflation.
What_the_8@reddit
Exactly, BYDs popularity in Australia should be looked at as a failure, not a success.
BooHorde@reddit
Explain this to candanadians who are cheering for the future collapse of domestic manufacturing.
penguin_cheezus@reddit
Genuine question, what is the angle with domestic manufacturing? I understand you want to protect your own industries and preserve that cash flow + job market, but a lot of people I talk to also love capitalism and the competition that brings. Is this not just a byproduct of that same competition, or lack thereof? Why blame the consumers getting priced out?
BooHorde@reddit
In my opinion having domestic manufacturing is a higher priority than cheaper products from China. Other than the obvious millions of jobs lost and massive economic reprocusions, it allows your country becomes less reliant on imports and hold more independance.
There is no international free-capitalism, all countries have self servicing motives. BYD's are so much cheaper because they took advantage of massive subsidies from them Chinese goverment and have much cheaper labor than the rest of the free world. American auto-manufacturers are backed by poweful unions which fight for strong wages, benefits, work environments, all things that are great for the working class.
ElCaz@reddit
Obvious millions of jobs?
Less than 200,000 people work in auto & parts manufacturing in Canada.
BooHorde@reddit
Atleast half a million people work directly or indirectly to auto-manufacturing.
It's not as simple as saying X number of people work in automotive factories, you have to add the X number of people who work at the plastic factory they buy parts from, the X number of people who work for the catering company that mans the caffeterias, the X number of people who work from vendors who supply everything from soap to industrial HVAC. The total impact for how many jobs would be affected is virtually impossible to calculate, but sure "millions" could be a stretch.
penguin_cheezus@reddit
I fully agree with the first part, it would be great to protect that. But I guess I'm also looking at how many factories exist in Canada and Mexico just to avoid being in the US borders, like at some point these same companies decided to move away just to play victim now? Or am I wrong in framing it that way?
tailkinman@reddit
The collapse has been happening ever since NAFTA was signed and Canadian plants were closed in favour of Mexico. BYD has stated they're open to building vehicles in Canada, and given the big 3 love nothing more than taking bailout money and reneging on agreements, I'm happy to see what they have to offer.
BooHorde@reddit
The EV deal was made specifically because China put massive economic pressure on Canada through canola tarrifs during the US's trarrif war. They are not friendly, they are opertunistic vultures.
There is no universe where BYD opens factories in canada and starts manufacturing cars with the same unions, compensations, and condition as Honda and Toyota.
People also seem to forget that this EV deal isn't just chinese companies, it's any vehicle manufactured in China. We already have heavily discounted model 3's for sale that were imported from Shanghai, so in those cases both chinese and US companies win and Canada gets nothing.
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sunbase@reddit
Not for Australians, but for the countries that export there. Australia recognised 15 years ago that our cars weren't keeping up with Japanese and European competitors. We've got no domestic manufacturers under threat from this. For your average Australian, China is making EVs more affordable and accessible.
ghostogresnowrabbit@reddit
How tf is this getting upvoted?
You would have to be living in a cave to still believe the social credit idea.
DetroitLionsEh@reddit
I love confidently incorrect people
ghostogresnowrabbit@reddit
Sure buddy. I'm sure your fluent in Mandarin too.
wiscotangofoxtreat@reddit
I wonder the same thing but for the toyota cult.
FuckMyLife2016@reddit
I mean sure but Toyota built its "reliable" reputation itself. Toyotas and Lexuses (Lexi?) also holding their used value is a market reality as a consequence of that reputation. Chinese brands are gonna have a hard time displacing that perception of their own. In the meantime, all the "unreliable" brands' market share is ripe for their taking.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
Why do you think it's BYD selling all their cars, and not the like 20 other brands with similar cars at similar prices, if not a perception of reliability and stability? What makes a consumer walk past GAC and Chery/Jaecoo and GWM and Geely/Smart/Volvo and Cupra? One of the most common reasons I see online is "they're the biggest and China makes good EVs so they must be good". I know someone who almost bought a Sealion over a Geely EX5 for this exact reason, it happens in the real world too.
wiscotangofoxtreat@reddit
There it is
TotoroSlim@reddit
Do you not remember when people shat on Toyota and Honda the same way they do with Chinese brands now?
nondescriptzombie@reddit
Back in the late 70's?
How about Hyundai and Kia? Been told they're not shit since 1980, and guess what? They're still shit today!
Kia almost got not shit by buying Mazda/Honda/Toyota engines and transmissions, but then Hyundai bought out a controlling stake and made them "Cheap Hyundai"
idontremembermyoldus@reddit
Most people (including myself) weren't even born when that was going on. By the late '80s, Toyota and Honda were both well-respected brands.
FuckMyLife2016@reddit
That's what I mean. People shat on Korean brands (rightfully) and still do to this day. Grenading engines in their ICE cars have now transitioned to failing ICCU in their EV cars. And their dealer experience in the U.S. never helped their case. Chinese brands have to build up their long term reliability (or perhaps lack thereof) themselves. And it'll take a long while.
Prestigious_Pin_4947@reddit
Theres no such thing as a social credit score in Japan
TotoroSlim@reddit
There isn’t in China either, but I’m sure people believe whatever preconceived notions they’ve arrived at without evidence
Prestigious_Pin_4947@reddit
Why wouldn't a social credit system be plausible given China's authoritarian, Communist dictatorship?? The same country that persecutes Muslims, Tibetans, and even its own citizens. OH yeah, the country that consistently scores among the lowest on Human Rights and Rule of Law Index? Oh, but, a social credit score is just not plausible with China. No evidence of that at ALL, when they CLEARLY have state / city implemented social credit systems throughout the country.
TotoroSlim@reddit
Surely if evidence is so easy to find you can link some right? Primary sources of actual Chinese people discussing the social credit score that you claim is so prevent? Surely you’ve talked to actual people in China or been to China to see this social credit score right?
What_the_8@reddit
https://sccei.fsi.stanford.edu/china-briefs/assessing-chinas-national-model-social-credit-system
TotoroSlim@reddit
Did you bother to actually read the source you listed? It shows one city that piloted an experimental credit score system that primarily focused on breaches of legal contracts and defaults on debt, which is pretty much the same as the credit score system in the US
CENTRAL_BANKS_ARE_OP@reddit
I really savor interactions like these because of course he isn't going to reply
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
I genuinely think it's not malicious, but stupidity:
"China makes good EVs but the EVIL government won't let you have them" is a popular narrative for many reasons. It's actually somewhat true, but people also dislike The Government, they especially dislike this government, the market has very low knowledge so you can do absolutely shit journalism and still get clicks, and the grass is always greener on the other side. This journalism isn't for me (who has actually driven one and has multiple friends who also have, including one who owns one) or even really for this sub (who have enough knowledge to tear a good portion of these articles apart).
That explains Chinese EV posting, but for why they pick the same brand all the time: journalists are lazy and use BYD as shorthand for the entire Chinese EV industry. I'm sure this annoys literally every other manufacturer to no end. Hence why I have seen literally 0 articles about the Geely EX2 posted on here, despite it being a RWD lightweight budget EV hatch. I have also seen 0 articles about the numerous other cheap hatches below 40k AUD (there's like 5 now, some of which are subjectively better than BYD at the same price).
ApprehensiveSize7662@reddit
I mean if they're the 2nd most popular brand in a whole country you'd expect them to have fans, no?
Accomplished_Mall329@reddit
That'll just make him wonder how much of the BYD popularity in a whole country is manufactured for social credits
epihocic@reddit
To be fair, we have ALOT of chinese in australia.
henchman171@reddit
Maybe? Good point
I’m in Canada and have had quite enough of the American gas garbage that gets sold here. Plus they yanks steal taxpayer money and never deliver on investment promises.
Seeing a similar country take up electric cars form other places is good news and gives me hope on global automobile options
BooHorde@reddit
Personally I rather have an auto industry than moderately cheaper EV's.
henchman171@reddit
Canada can have an auto industry without the yanks stealing our money.
But since the yanks are getting poorer and buying less cars themselves there may not be an industry to protect for exports. So study what the Aussies have adapted because that’s starting to look like the future here.
BooHorde@reddit
The aussies lost their domestic auto indusry.
henchman171@reddit
Yup just like i said. Just like Canada will. It’s time to move on
BooHorde@reddit
Hopefully you're the first one to raise your hand and give up your employment for someone who lost their job.
henchman171@reddit
I lost my job in pulp and paper thanks. I just started my own company instead selling newer and more modern and efficient products instead of outdated stuff I did before
BooHorde@reddit
So you won't mind doing it again since you're advicating for the collapse of a massive industry.
The difference being that you aren't advocating for manufacturing jobs being phased out by technological advancement, you're advocating for them to be outsourced overseas to someone else who can do it cheaper.
Switching to automatic call logging is not comparable or equivilant to shifting existing jobs overseas. I assume a busines owner like yourself is smart enough to make that distinction and you're just arguing in bad faith versus just being dumb.
I miss any job that still exists but is just being outsourced to a country with cheaper labour, yes.
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
Why you totally blame American automakers decreasing investment and layoffs in your country ? They really don’t like to break your heart and do this shits, they’re forced to do that.
henchman171@reddit
Then they can return the tax money and government funding they collected after they fake promised to invest in new plants. Since they took the money and invested elsewhere screw them. I hope all big three fail again. Gonna be fun to watch
TheAntiAirGuy@reddit
Because they're genuinely good and giving our local manufacturers a run for their money and a hefty punch in the face with it
(I'm from central Europe)
Getting something with 100km Electric range on a Hybrid with heated&ventilated seats. Head-Up Display, good quality Interieur and 6 years overall warranty, 8 years warranty for the battery ... all of this for ~30.0000€ in shape of the BYD Seal DM-i Touring, as the example I used
Does_Not_Use_Clothes@reddit
It’s mostly ai and bot farms. It wasn’t that long ago this place was enthusiast centric and therefore mostly against ev as they’re just not as engaging mechanically. Now it’s all pro ev pro china. These big subs are completely co-opted at this point. Best to stay in smaller ones.
Low_Succotash5073@reddit
or…
Or…
ORRRRRRRRR…
D’ya think that maybe Chinese auto manufacturers are building pretty great cars, and American consumers are sick of poorly conceived, disproportionately priced dogshit? I don’t even need to propagandize this one, you can find articles and videos that shows how advanced Chinese cars are.
Does_Not_Use_Clothes@reddit
No this is false in real life no one cares about this. You can use all the Reddit speak and italicized letters that you want, but you’re just inventing a fake scenario with no evidence.
What_the_8@reddit
Cool, just give the UAW a heads up they’ll need to slash their union members wages at least 50%. I’m sure they won’t have an issue. There’s a reason the for the 100% tariff on these things. Australia’s auto industry is already destroyed so they’ve got nothing left to protect.
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
Going more automation production line is actual better for them, they don’t need to slash their wage and welfare, and it’s easier and safer.
Automation is one of main reasons why Chinese automakers able to sell you cheap cars.
What_the_8@reddit
No, just slash the number of jobs. I’m sure the UAW will embrace that approach.
Currency manipulation and wage suppression is one of the main reasons Chinese automakers are able to see you cheap cars.
There’s a reason western nations have anti-completion and monopoly laws.
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AmericanExcellence@reddit
given transaction prices and sales figures, americans seem to not be able to get enough of what's already on offer here. people online act like people are sitting out the market waiting for some other offerings, but reality is the opposite.
SierraXIII@reddit
American manufactures will never change. 30 years of the worst dogshit in the world, multiple taxpayer bailouts, and in present day jeep is rated less reliable than Range Rover.
They’ll never improve, it will only always be minimum viable product for maximum possible charge with anything American.
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CMDR_omnicognate@reddit
Eh, i think part of it is that your average Joe consumer doesn't care that much about cars beyond price and functionality, and BYD's are very competitively priced compared to other equivalent cars.
Also this sub is not especially pro-EV or pro China from most of the posts ive seen, they just become more genetic as they grow larger because the bigger echo chamber will drown out unpopular opinions, that's why smaller subs tend to have differences in opinions.
ShadyDrunks@reddit
Yeah nothing like Chinese spy tech being everywhere
RicardoMoyer@reddit
isn’t tesla the worst spyware offender?
ShadyDrunks@reddit
I’m more concerned with china having our data, they aren’t friendly
RicardoMoyer@reddit
ok fair enough, but i don’t trust the wall street lizard people either
SRGsergan592@reddit
Yeah I would rather have the company disable 20% of the overpriced car I paid for because I didn't pay for a shitty service subscription.
nonaveris@reddit
Basically Nortel on wheels.
henchman171@reddit
The yanks have spyware in their cars too
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tom267@reddit
The American car industry is going to be left in the dust by the time our leaders figure out that eliminating competition in the home market is not a prudent long term strategy
Balls__Mahoney@reddit
I just got back from Europe (from US) and I hadn’t been in a BYD yet but wanted to, because I keep seeing them hyped on Reddit.
I got an uber and picked up by a Sealion 7, and let me tell you US residents: this thing shits on Tesla. Comfortable, quiet, the materials felt nice and looked nice. Just a way nicer experience than a model Y imo. It felt closer to my Lyriq than a model y, and it’s 20% cheaper than a Lyriq.
tech01x@reddit
The American car industry is being led by Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid. It's time to stop thinking of GM, Ford, and Stellantis as the American car industry.
DoublePostedBroski@reddit
Maybe Tesla, but not Rivian and Lucid. Barely anyone drives them.
tech01x@reddit
Rivian is going to higher volume with the R2 launch. Leadership isn’t just volume, and the volume will come.
ApprehensiveSize7662@reddit
They're everywhere here. The Shark in particular.
aaryg@reddit
There's heaps in the Adelaide hills. Which is funny because after all the years of reading about people arguing over Hilux, LandCruiser, Navara, triton, ranger, BT-50. The people who actually use their utes are going with the shark.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
Tbf go a bit further out and any EV or car people associate with them (yes I know the Shark has an engine) becomes a lot less common. You'll see a bunch around Blackwood/Belair but by the time you go to Barker they've all but vanished, in my experience. The Shark does better than just about anything else still, but there's a massive decline in general once you get to places on the freeway, instead of places within the Mitcham Hills.
aaryg@reddit
I live in Barker and see them every day. There's heaps. Even the Tasman has been purchased by a few people.
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
The Tasman isn't an EV though, of course people who think of themselves as regional purchase them. The Shark isn't either, but it's from an "EV brand" and it's got an electric motor.
As someone who lives in the city but spends a lot of time at Barker + surrounds, EVs are anecdotally much more common closer to the city. The drop off is STARK and kinda funny considering Barker is like 40km from the city tops. If you go through Totness, you can see the dealerships (other than maybe the JDM imports dealership) stock a different range to what you see in Adelaide as well.
I don't deny they exist, and I have seen a few at Barker itself (idk if they're locals or not), but PHEVs and especially EVs are much rarer compared to the suburbs. Around Nairne I've seen one Shark total in a driveway, and one GAC of all things at Klose's. At Woodside I've never seen any, at least any in driveways as opposed to parked at the shops on the main street.
knowledgeable_diablo@reddit
Well Kia’s git the PV5 landing today so will be in stores by next month at least I guess. So a full EV van will be in the mass of couriers shortly.
knowledgeable_diablo@reddit
They have certainly filled the market with product. That is for sure.
Wait for a little XPeng and Forthing action which will occur next month. We gonna have EV’s coming out our ears. I know the dealers do. So much so it’s impacting their ability to accept deliveries of traditional OEM’s product.
jianh1989@reddit
and Seal, and Sealion 6 & 7.
ApprehensiveSize7662@reddit
Surprising amount of seals given their low sales numbers.
CorruptDropbear@reddit
They were the first cars to be sold when they came over, so there’s a good three years of cars on the road.
Quaiche@reddit
Huh even for trucks they’re shamelessly copying the design language of the other brands.
Aussie_5aabi@reddit (OP)
How is the Shark Ute copying another Ute on the market?
Quaiche@reddit
I’ve got no clue of what vehicle you’re talking about.
My comment was about the thumbnail showing a pickup BYD with a suspiciously similar grill to a Ford Raptor.
I mean everything is imitated, the squared daylight leds the position of the logo and its style, etc.
devastationz@reddit
You can’t have this because American car manufacturers said they’re so good that they’ll put us outta business.
You can’t have this because [CURRENT ADMINISTRATION] thinks renewable energy is dumb and pulled all funding/projects for it.
cthulhusevski@reddit
Democrats are also against them
ObligationSlight8771@reddit
Well they do represent the people that’s livelihood would be decimated by BYD. I’d do the same in their shoes
sicklyslick@reddit
Yep
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connected_Vehicle_Security_Act
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Working_Elephant5344@reddit
Even if they were available in the US market, I’m not sure if their sales would take off. Americans have very high salaries relative to the rest of the world, so they’re not as price-conscious, and can afford to pay more to get a Tesla, GM, or Ford instead of settling for a BYD.
soscbjoalmsdbdbq@reddit
Insane take if a manufacturer in America was selling nice new cars with decent tech and range for anywhere from 10-40k these things would be selling like hotcakes to people under 50
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
Doesn't GM have to keep discounting their sub-40k USD EVs just to sell them?
(Most Chinese manufacturers face similar problems in Australia, for what it's worth. Though nothing with decent range is cheaper than 20k USD)
K_R_A_K_E_N_540@reddit
The most sold car in the US is still a value vehicle, not Bentleys. Most people are middle class at best so costs are still very important to people
Ancient_Persimmon@reddit
An $85k F-150 that returns 18mpg is hardly a "value vehicle".
tpolakov1@reddit
It is if your only alternatives are even more expensive trucks.
Now, whether you want a value truck, or need an actual value vehicle, that's a different story.
TheLoneStarResident@reddit
You’re talking about the F150? A full sized truck? A car that people can only dream of in other countries?
In other countries even the best selling truck is a Hilux, smaller than even the Tacoma here which isn’t a full size truck.
Our standard of living is very high.
idontremembermyoldus@reddit
These will absolutely take off if they ever come here. Not only are they cheaper, but they're actually decently well-equipped and well-appointed compared to the average Ford, GM, or Toyota on sale today. There's essentially no compromise, other than the country of origin, which most people don't actually care about.
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db_newer@reddit
And their petrol is cheap
railbeast@reddit
Not anymore lol
durrtyurr@reddit
It's still pretty cheap here, it went from 4.49 a gallon (1.18 USD/L) the first time I had to buy my own gas to 4.79 a gallon (1.27 USD/L) (both premium, both in KY) the last time I filled up the Z4 this week. My baseline was crazy high I guess, but it's relatively a lot cheaper overall especially because I went from 11 mpg on that first tank in my DeVille to 37 mpg on the last tank in the Z4. At any rate, it is substantially lower than overall inflation.
TenguBlade@reddit
Still cheap relative to the rest of the world, so the OP’s point about having less incentive to switch stands.
railbeast@reddit
The US is a large country. Top 5 cities are at Euro prices right now (~$8/gal, ~$2/L), and the energy cost differential in the US is huge since it doesn't rely on Russian oil unlike Europe.
X-e-o@reddit
That's the equivalent of something like 1.15€/l which is *way* less than the 1.90€/l you'll find in most EU countries.
railbeast@reddit
According to the study Americans drive double the miles though, as I said in my comment... so yeah, gas prices are lower but the expenditure is way more. (Not even talking about average engine efficiency...)
X-e-o@reddit
Fair enough. I'd have to dig through the data but I'm guessing the larger commutes/mileage aren't concentrated in those few high-density states that have 5$/gal has though, but at this point we're nitpicking.
MNAAAAA@reddit
It's expensive, sure, but here's the top 5 cities in the US by population and their gas prices (nowhere near $8):
NY: ~$4.50
LA: ~$6.50
Chicago: ~$5.50
Houston: ~$4.00
Phoenix: ~$5.00
devastationz@reddit
take so dumb it has to be rage bait
MLPorsche@reddit
ironically enough he is doing a good job driving the rest of the world away from the petrodollar and towards renewables
sprockets22@reddit
You can buy one in Tijuana, and drive it unit sandiego
GMOrgasm@reddit
how legal is that
can do that w/ a mazda mx30 erev?
sprockets22@reddit
You can buy lots of shit in Tijuana
V8-Turbo-Hybrid@reddit
You can Huilx in Mexico too
HighFiveKoala@reddit
I live a little over an hour away from the Mexican border in Orange County, California but it's not uncommon to see cars from Mexico that aren't sold in the US. I saw a Suzuki Swift and VW Virtus earlier this week.
ALOIsFasterThanYou@reddit
There is currently a proposal by lawmakers to ban Chinese cars from being driven into the US from Canada or Mexico, even if they are driven by visitors (which, as the other commenters have already noted, is perfectly legal right now).
aaffpp@reddit
America is shaking in its boots. The current Administration and Industry have worked very hard do create psychological marketing barriers to widespread adoption of EVs. The fact remains the US suburban cities are vehicle dependent for almost all tasks from education to weekly shopping. At least half the country residents have a driveway and garage that can be easily wired for a charger. I remember back not too long ago when people were terrified to switch from land lines because they would remain up for emergencies if the lights went out. That fear has long since disappeared. Today no one finds recharging a cell phone or laptop an insurmountable inconvenience. EVs are a perfection solution for much of American. The Chineese know the USA is a small part of the world population. Other markets are harded to become established in but the huge advantage is they are bring an entire supply chain. They are capable of building everything from solar panels, to storage distribution, roads, bridges, vehicle, replacement parts and software. When the barriers dissolve at US borders,Chineese Industries will be decades ahead of the local competition. If you look at the big picture, they already are.
Dull-Tea8669@reddit
Good luck insuring, registering it, or passing an inspection
idontremembermyoldus@reddit
As someone else pointed out. Mexican cars cross the border all the time, as people come here to shop, work, visit, etc. Perfectly fine. An American can't go down to Mexico and buy one with the intention of registering and using it in the U.S., though. Not until it's 25 years old, at which point it's exempt.
LegoGuy23@reddit
You can drive it into the US, but it can't stay here. Basically, you need to have it registered in MX and have residency there.
Once you have residency established in the US, you need to have it registered here. There in lines the hurdle for cars that aren't NHTSA-certified for US roads.
solo118@reddit
how are you registering it?
ethereal3xp@reddit
It helps when the Chinese gov't subsidizes BYD.
Cheaper to build the cars.
BUT once they gain a foothold on the marketshare. They will raise prices - payback the Chinese gov't.
Aussie_5aabi@reddit (OP)
Most government’s subsidise vehicle manufacturing on their country.
ethereal3xp@reddit
Yes. Thats the point.
You think Ford is getting help from the US gov't?
If a country helps their national car company(s). That car company does not need to focus on profits as much.
Aussie_5aabi@reddit (OP)
I don’t know about the US as the only American Ford we get is the Mustang.
Ford certainly gets subsidies from the Thailand government for manufacturing of the Ranger and Everest.
ethereal3xp@reddit
Tesla does not get subsidies from the Chinese gov't. But they do get something better - they are the 1st US origin company that does not require to joint venture with a Chinese company. Its a huge advantage.
Because Tesla helped ramp up chinese factories for parts. This helped BYD etc fast track their EV ambititions/beneficiary. Similar to say a Dyson vs near identical chinese copycat vacuum for half the price.
EV subsidies is given to all car companies if a country has a mandate to increase EVs to decrease pollution.
BYD and other Chinese car makers gain direct help from the Chinese Gov't. The Chinese gov't make deals with Canada, Austrailia etc. For their Canola oil or Austrailian Beef in return.
ethereal3xp@reddit
I'm not saying BYD EVs are now not better than Ford EVs. But its an unfair advantage.
BYD gets subsidies. Probably via low to no taxes. Free shipping. Workers have no right to strike for better wages.
420bIaze@reddit
That sounds like I should buy a Chinese car as soon as possible, if the Chinese government is going to pay me to do so.
jianh1989@reddit
who's number 1? Tesla?
ApprehensiveSize7662@reddit
ThatGuyFromCanadia@reddit
Wow! Tesla does horrible in Australia.
Aussie_5aabi@reddit (OP)
There are multiple reasons for that.
tech01x@reddit
First month of quarter.
kstetter@reddit
Tesla has one model that actually sells any units
wwwhatisgoingon@reddit
Toyota, by far.
Tesla isn't in the top 5.
devastationz@reddit
First person to pull up to a cars and coffee in a BYD YangWang U9 might be the first to see people excited about an electric car.
epihocic@reddit
You must have a short memory. People were very excited about Teslas at first.
devastationz@reddit
people who actually like cars as a hobby
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
The Model S and Roadster were both revolutionary at the time. I'm old enough to remember thinking they and the Leaf were so cool
epihocic@reddit
Yes those people were very excited about Teslas back when the Model S first arrived.
kstetter@reddit
You mean Yangwang U9. You wouldn't call a Lexus a Toyota Lexus GX
ShYdRaDaNcE@reddit
Anyone else waiting with glee for company’s to just start stealing their ip so the can see how it feels and say oh no this is completely different
Boggie135@reddit
I don't think it's their IP that has led them here
steamydan@reddit
It's not the IP that makes them dangerous to US car companies.
solo118@reddit
I saw BYD dealership in Mexico recently. They are really killing it, curious when they will eventually make their way to USA
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