BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle maker, sold about 2.3 million EVs last year, surpassing Tesla globally and rapidly expanding its footprint in Europe with multiple models at competitive prices. Tesla, by contrast, offers a limited range in Europe and is suffering from declining sales that some researchers and experts link to founder Elon Musk’s controversial public and political actions.
BYD’s success rests on a wide EV portfolio that spans multiple segments and price points, including an entry-level model selling for around 14,000 USD with up to 200 miles of range.
Europe is a critical growth market for BYD, where it has opened numerous dealerships and is winning customers with European-style design, richer interiors, and advanced infotainment systems.
A National Bureau of Economic Research working paper cited in the piece estimates that Musk’s behavior may have cost Tesla 1 to 1.2 million sales in the US alone, illustrating the so‑called “Musk effect” on consumer demand.
“Theres a paper thats been published recently, a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper. The researchers estimated that the Musk effect potentially cost Tesla 1 to 1.2 million sales,” says DuBois.
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