Even with the new 100% tariff on electric vehicles imported from China, BYD would still have the cheapest EV in...

Even with the new 100% tariff on electric vehicles imported from China, BYD would still have the cheapest EV in the US. According to a new report, BYD’s lowest-priced EV would still undercut all US automakers at under $25,000.

After discontinuing the production of vehicles powered entirely by internal combustion engines in March 2022, BYD has been at the forefront of the industry’s shift to EVs.

Honestly in my opinion it is time to remove all tariffs on EVs under 25k and let anyone who wants to fill that slot in. American car manufacturers refuse to fill the market need.

  • Habahnow@sh.itjust.works
    85·
    2 months ago

    The main issue is that China seems to subsidize BYD quite a bit more than other countries do. In addition, this seems to match China’s general policy of finding ways to give its own companies advantages in foreign markets, while limiting the equivalent from other countries

    • msage@programming.dev
      9·
      2 months ago

      Yes, yes, yes.

      But why does the West, which has been technologically ahead the entire time, can’t produce a cheap simple EV?

      Like sure, China is propping up their shit maybe more than the West is, but why can’t we get one small inexpensive simple car?

      • Habahnow@sh.itjust.works
        15·
        2 months ago

        I mean the tech is still new as well as the point that SSJMarx mentioned. To add to the list of reasons to make expensive version of cars first:

        • New tech is more expensive usually
        • Not everyone has the budget to openly spend 20K plus on a new vehicle, which means lower demand
        • Since not everyone will just buy a new car, companies need to make as much money per unit sold which means luxury cars make more sense
        • additionally lowering demand is the fact that not everyone wants an EV or feels comfortable driving them (due to its different fueling method)

        I do expect that over time manufactures will begin to release cheaper EVs over time that are aimed for average consumers.

        • msage@programming.dev
          71·
          2 months ago

          I’m sorry, but that makes 0 sense.

          Not everyone can spend 20k, so let’s make 100k cars?

          And when China is selling such cheap cars, let’s stop them too, because there is no demand?

          There is nothing logical about your arguments.

          • Habahnow@sh.itjust.works
            11·
            2 months ago
            • Not everyone has the budget to openly spend 20K plus on a new vehicle, which means lower demand
            • Since not everyone will just buy a new car, companies need to make as much money per unit sold which means luxury cars make more sense These points together should make sense. They are marketing to people that have a lot of disposable income. If they have a lot of disposable income, they probably want a luxurious car. People with 200k+ annual salaries want to keep up with the Johnses so a 20k EV car they can easily afford doesn’t look as cool compared to their neighbor’s 80k+ car. So they want a 80k+ car with all the bells and whistles.

            The reason we stop China is not related to supply and demand so much as stopping companies that China has given unfair advantages to. If BYD was making cars without signifcant Chinese subsidies, then yes I would be bothered by these tariffs as well.

          • ShepherdPie
            22·
            2 months ago

            The person who buys $100k cars isn’t going to be shopping in the $20k car market. This $20k EV already exists as the Nissan Leaf and it sells like shit because people don’t really want a stripped-down, barebones car. Teslas’ cheapest cars are twice the price and outsell it by several orders of magnitude.

            We’re stopping China from selling cars here because they’re selling $50k cars for $20k which is a big problem for everyone but China.

            There is logic to their argument. I think you just don’t understand the situation very well.