Since accelerating its overseas push in the second half of 2022, BYD has encountered a series of setbacks in 2023: Japanese media reported chromium-6 in BYD bus parts, British media raised security concerns, Hong Kong showrooms were vandalized, and Japanese dealers began collective resistance against EVs. These incidents underscore the fierce competition as Chinese automakers reshape global auto markets.
BYD's expansion targets overlap heavily with Japanese automakers' strongholds—Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and Europe. Japanese automakers have built a layered empire: the outer ring (Europe, Americas, Middle East) where they face strong local competitors; the middle ring (Southeast Asia, India) where they have near-monopoly; and the inner fortress (Japan) with over 90% domestic share.
BYD is making inroads. In Israel, BYD ranks fifth in sales. In Australia, Chinese EVs are gaining traction. In Brazil, BYD is building a plant. In Europe, BYD's presence is growing rapidly, while Japanese brands decline. However, challenges remain—the U.S. market is largely off-limits due to tariffs, and Japanese automakers still dominate global production and logistics. BYD's overseas journey is just beginning.