Small, well-built Chinese EV called the Seagull poses a big threat to the US auto industry

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the threat posed by the low-priced Chinese electric vehicle (EV) called the Seagull to the U.S. auto industry. It highlights how the Seagull, which costs around $11,000 in China, is well-built and rivals more expensive U.S.-made EVs in terms of craftsmanship and performance. The article explores how the emergence of affordable EVs from China could disrupt the global auto industry, and how U.S. automakers and politicians are responding to this challenge.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Small, well-built Chinese EV called the Seagull poses a big threat to the US auto industry

1. What are the key features of the Seagull EV that make it a threat to the US auto industry?

• The Seagull sells for around $11,000 in China, yet it drives well and is put together with craftsmanship that rivals U.S.-made EVs that cost three times as much
• The Seagull has a shorter-range version that costs under $10,000
• The Seagull's low price and high quality could shake up the global auto industry in ways not seen since the rise of Japanese automakers in the 1970s

2. How is the US government and auto industry responding to the threat of Chinese EVs like the Seagull?

• The Biden administration is expected to announce 100% tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, citing threats to U.S. jobs and national security
• The Alliance for American Manufacturing says Chinese subsidized EVs "could end up being an extinction-level event for the U.S. auto sector"
• Tesla CEO Elon Musk has warned that without trade barriers, Chinese EVs "will pretty much demolish most other car companies in the world"
• Ford is preparing to counter the threat by designing a new, small EV from the ground up to keep costs down and quality high

[02] How the Seagull EV is designed and manufactured to be affordable

1. What are the key factors that allow BYD to manufacture the Seagull at such a low cost?

• BYD has expertise in making batteries using lithium iron phosphate chemistry, which cost less than most current lithium-ion batteries
• BYD makes many of its own parts in-house, including electric motors, dashboards, bodies and even headlights, allowing for vertical integration and cost savings
• BYD designs the Seagull with cost and efficiency in mind, such as using only one windshield wiper to eliminate one motor and one arm
• The Seagull's lightweight design, at 2,734 pounds, allows it to travel farther on a smaller battery compared to larger EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt

2. How does the Seagull's design and manufacturing approach differ from that of U.S. automakers?

• U.S. automakers often incur excess engineering costs by designing vehicles with requirements from the era of combustion engines that are not needed for EVs
• U.S. automakers will need to "re-learn a lot of design and engineering" to shed practices from a century of building vehicles and quickly adapt to the new EV landscape

[03] Potential challenges for the Seagull and BYD's global expansion

1. What are the main barriers preventing the Seagull from being sold in the U.S. market right now?

• Tariffs on imported Chinese vehicles, including a 27.5% tariff slapped on by the Trump administration, are likely to keep the Seagull away from the U.S. for now
• The Seagull would likely need to be modified to meet stricter U.S. safety standards, which could add a couple thousand dollars to the cost

2. How is BYD expanding its presence in other global markets?

• BYD sells the Seagull, rebranded as the Dolphin Mini, in four Latin American countries for around $21,000, twice the price in China
• In Europe, BYD offers larger models like the Seal, which starts at 46,990 euros ($50,000) in France
• BYD's top two overseas markets in the first two months of 2023 were Thailand and Brazil
• BYD is considering building a factory in Mexico, but it would be for the Mexican market, not the U.S.