In a recent interview, Oliver Blume, the global CEO of Volkswagen Group, discussed BYD, remarking, "Having a competitor like BYD has a positive impact on us!"

The reporter posed a direct question: "Is BYD Volkswagen's biggest competitor in China?" Blume's response transcended the narrow confines of competition: "BYD and we are both crucial players in the entire automotive industry chain—encompassing machinery, software, battery technology... Such a competitor is beneficial." He acknowledged that BYD's robust presence serves as both a mirror and a catalyst, "urging us to excel further."

When Oliver Blume, CEO of Volkswagen Group, candidly stated in front of the camera, "Having a competitor like BYD has a positive impact on us," it underscored the global automotive industry's serious acknowledgment of the rise of a Chinese brand. In Blume's perspective, BYD is not merely a market competitor but an "integral part of the automotive industry chain" and a "positive force" propelling industry advancement. This recognition stems not only from BYD's demonstrated prowess but also from the profound shifts it has engendered in the global automotive landscape. The competitive pressure within the automotive industry will eventually morph into technological productivity that transcends boundaries, with consumers invariably reaping the ultimate benefits.

I. Technological Leadership: Setting New Industry Benchmarks

BYD's ascent is fundamentally a triumph of technological innovation. Its fifth-generation DM Super Hybrid technology (DM-i 5.0) achieves groundbreaking efficiency with the world's highest engine thermal efficiency of 46.06%, a minimal fuel consumption of 2.9L per 100 kilometers in battery-depletion mode, and a maximum combined range of 2,100 kilometers. Actual range tests of Qin L DM-i and Seal 06 DM-i models equipped with this technology surpassed 2,300 kilometers. This technological leap has fortified BYD's unassailable competitive edge in the new energy sector. As Blume noted, BYD's presence "serves as both a mirror and a catalyst," reflecting industry trends and sparking waves of technological innovation. In the realm of intelligence, BYD's advanced intelligent driving system, "Divine Eye," employs BEV+ grid fusion perception technology in mass-produced models, pushing intelligent driving technology into the sub-RMB 100,000 market segment and redefining industry competition norms.

This technology-driven competition is reshaping the foundational logic of the automotive industry. In the first half of 2025, the automotive industry witnessed a wave of "anti-involution," shifting from price wars to technological competition, with intelligence and globalization emerging as new focal points. BYD, with an average of 27 patent applications daily (amassing over 48,000 patents), continues to spearhead the industry's technological evolution, compelling international giants, including Volkswagen, to accelerate their pace. From battery technology to software ecosystems, from manufacturing processes to user experiences, the competitive landscape is continually expanding into the depths of technological innovation. This "technological productivity" driven by competition will ultimately translate into superior products and services for consumers.

II. Overseas Expansion: Crafting a New Global Industrial Ecosystem

BYD's globalization pace is reshaping the industry landscape at a breathtaking speed. In Hungary, the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of its electric bus and truck factory was held, with an annual capacity of 1,250 vehicles. Additionally, a European headquarters and R&D center were established in Budapest, deeply integrating into the European new energy industry chain. In Thailand, the 8 millionth new energy vehicle rolled off the production line, marking BYD's transition from "product exports" to "industrial exports." The Thai factory was completed and operational within just 16 months, setting a new record for the fastest overseas investment by a Chinese automaker. In Brazil, the first vehicle rolled off the line at the Camacari factory, with an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, making it the largest electric vehicle manufacturing hub in Latin America. In May 2025, BYD's market share in Brazil reached 9.7%, with pure electric vehicles accounting for over 92% of the market.

This "localized manufacturing + global supply chain" model is constructing a new industrial ecosystem. BYD is not only bringing production lines overseas but also driving local automotive industry upgrades through technology exports and talent development. For instance, the Hungarian factory creates 620 local jobs, and the Brazilian factory is anticipated to provide 20,000 direct and indirect job opportunities. Concurrently, BYD's self-owned ro-ro fleet, including the world's second-largest LNG dual-fuel clean power ship, "Shenzhen," has established an efficient logistics system of "shipped directly from the factory," with an annual shipping capacity exceeding one million vehicles, providing robust support for its globalization strategy.

III. The Future is Here: Charting a New Course for Intelligent Mobility

At the nexus of industry transformation, BYD is outlining the blueprint for future mobility with a dual-wheel drive of "technology + globalization." On the technology front, BYD plans to invest RMB 100 billion in R&D funds, focusing on breakthroughs in the deep integration of artificial intelligence and automotive systems to propel intelligent vehicle upgrades. Its megawatt flash charging technology enables a range of 400 kilometers with just 5 minutes of charging, and its 30,000 RPM motor allows the Han L to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 2.7 seconds. These technological advancements will redefine users' perceptions of new energy vehicles. On the globalization front, BYD has established a presence in 112 countries and regions worldwide, with overseas sales doubling for several consecutive years. In the first half of 2025, overseas sales reached 472,100 vehicles, surpassing the total for the entire year of 2024.

Facing trade barriers in the US and Europe, BYD breaks through with the concept of "consultation, joint construction, and sharing." In Europe, it mitigates tariff pressures through localized production and technological cooperation; in Latin America, it wins the market with cost-effective products and high-quality services; in Southeast Asia, it seizes the initiative through a comprehensive industrial chain layout. As Professor Huang Qing of Shanghai International Studies University observed, "BYD is not merely BYD of China but BYD of the world." Its endeavors in Thailand, Brazil, and other locations are providing a model for the global leap from "Made in China" to "Intelligently Made in China" and "Chinese Brands."

IV. Industry Inspiration: China's Transformation from Follower to Leader

BYD's rise embodies the historical journey of China's automotive industry transitioning from follower to leader. In the first half of 2025, the domestic market share of independent brands exceeded 68%, and new energy vehicle retail sales surged by 33.3% year-on-year. Behind this growth lies the long-term investment of companies like BYD in R&D (nearly RMB 40 billion in 2023) and talent development (70% of new hires are PhDs and masters). This investment is evident not only in technological breakthroughs but also in a precise understanding of industry trends—while traditional automakers grappled with the transition from internal combustion engines, BYD had already pioneered advancements in electrification and intelligence; when international giants attempted to curb Chinese brands with tariff barriers, BYD had already established new competitive advantages through a globalized production network.

The future automotive industry will be a comprehensive competition encompassing technology, ecology, and globalization. BYD, with its "technology fishpond" strategy, opens its technology to industry partners, fostering collaborative innovation throughout the supply chain; with the goal of "carbon neutrality," it constructs a green mobility ecosystem leveraging technologies like blade batteries and solar energy storage; and with the "One Belt and Road" Initiative as a bridge, it nurtures new growth hubs in global southern markets. This "openness, innovation, and win-win" development model is offering a new paradigm for the global automotive industry.

As Blume emphasized, "The ultimate beneficiaries will always be consumers." In the healthy competition between BYD and its industry peers, consumers are embracing more advanced technology, richer choices, and enhanced experiences. For China's automotive industry, such competition and recognition serve as clear signposts pointing to a broader horizon—earning respect through strength and driving progress through competition. This is the new chapter penned by BYD in the industry and the resounding footsteps of China's automotive industry marching towards the pinnacle of the global value chain.