BYD's Rise in the EV Market

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This chapter explores the ascension of Chinese car company BYD in the electric vehicle industry, tracing its journey from battery technology to EV production. It examines BYD's unique strategy, cultural perspective, and role as a symbol of China's technological advancement. The chapter delves into the concept of a developmental state and compares BYD's vertical integration approach with that of Tesla, emphasizing the significance of controlling production stages in the evolving EV market.

Paris Marx is joined by Paolo Gerbaudo to discuss how Chinese electric car maker BYD operates, its growing international success against Tesla, and whether it will be able to move into the North American market.

Paolo Gerbaudo is the author of The Digital Party and The Great Recoil. He’s a senior research fellow at the Department of Political History, Theories and Geography of Complutense University in Madrid.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Eric Wickham. Transcripts are by Brigitte Pawliw-Fry.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Paolo analyzed the business model of BYD in Phenomenal World.
The New York Times wrote an in-depth piece on BYD back in February.
Foreign Affairs published an article on the success of the Chinese tech industry in the face of US dominance.
After recording, the United States announced a 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles.
In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan put quotas on Japanese car imports, making them more expensive to US consumers to help domestic automakers like GM and Ford.
BYD is increasingly challenging on Tesla’s position as top seller of electric vehicles.