BYD Shark on the Road Very Nice

[TexasBob]

I was headed down to south Houston today and found myself driving for about 15 minutes next to a new BYD Shark with Mexican plates (presumably from the factory down there). It was the first time I had seen one in person, and being in my R1T it was an interesting side-by-side (at least while driving). We were both stuck in a traffic jam so I got plenty of opportunities to see him from lots of angles.

In any case, very impressive. Almost identical in size to the T. The Shark is a little bit narrower and I think a couple inches shorter, but very comparable. With 60 miles of electric range, I think this PHEV would do exceptionally well in the US if it were ever allowed to compete here (it won't be). It sure underscores the challenges Rivian and other US manufacturers are going to face when they venture outside the wall of protection. At a top price under $50k in Mexico, it it going to be super tough to compete. Very impressive, at least from the next lane over!

https://topelectricsuv.com/news/byd/byd-shark/

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[mikehmb]

Looks great! But I definitely think there's room in the market for both.

Wish it would come to the US. Would be nice to shake up the midsized ICE truck market a bit with a PHEV in the mix.

 

[Ecupip]

I’m impressed with the byd features and tech, but nearly every model they make looks ugly and disproportional to me, this one included.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Looks like it ripped off both Ford and Toyota with styling cues. That’s the biggest problem with China cars. They look like they blatantly copied the homework assignment and that bothers me.

The fact that China doesn’t respect IP law and steals from other countries makes all their stuff unattractive to me.

 

[ndmiller]

Looks great! But I definitely think there's room in the market for both.

100% of what even RJ would say. Realistically not many are cross shopping vehicles with ones 1/2 or 2X the price (R1T and a <50K EV pickup), they just wouldn't be apples to apples. BUT the more people getting into EV's are going to want an upgrade or an additional EV....Queue Rivian, Hyundai, Scout, etc....... Need more choice.

 

[Rivdog]

BYD (Build Your Dreams) is the dumbest name for a car manufacturer I’ve ever heard.

I know it’s irrational, but it’s the automotive equivalent to someone with a face that just needs to be punched.

 

[NY_Rob]

IDK, there are Rivian buyers that definitely stretched their budget a bit when buying their vehicle. Those are the same people who might be more comfortable purchasing a Shark at $50k if they don't need 800+ HP and 0-60 in 3 seconds flat.

The Shark has AA/CP, so right there it would steal 75% of Rivian's prospects

 

[mikehmb]

BYD (Build Your Dreams) is the dumbest name for a car manufacturer I’ve ever heard.

I know it’s irrational, but it’s the automotive equivalent to someone with a face that just needs to be punched.

The original Chinese from which it stems is something that doesn't translate well, according to my friend who speaks it.

It was an aspirational phrase for China. The translation was meant to be aspirational in English without changing the acronym.

 

[socaladam]

I will never own a Chinese vehicle

 

[NY_Rob]

I will never own a Chinese vehicle

Even if it's made of 99% Chinese parts but assembled in North America.

 

[NY_Rob]

LG = Lucky Goldstar, that's pretty silly too, I'm guessing it meant something different in it's original language?

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Looks like it ripped off both Ford and Toyota with styling cues. That’s the biggest problem with China cars. They look like they blatantly copied the homework assignment and that bothers me.

The fact that China doesn’t respect IP law and steals from other countries makes all their stuff unattractive to me.

BYD (Build Your Dreams) is the dumbest name for a car manufacturer I’ve ever heard.

I know it’s irrational, but it’s the automotive equivalent to someone with a face that just needs to be punched.

First time I saw one it was clear to me it would for sure face legal challenges from Ford, if they were to sell it in the US. Much in the same way Jeep challenged Mahindra for its Roxor (side-by-side UTV) when it had a front end that was a straight ripp-off of the iconic CJ series.

Most Americans don't even know Rivians are American-made. They'd be completely oblivious to what BYD stands for. For that matter, BYD is probably more palatable than Xpeng. Even then, any misgivings over the foreign name would be temporary. Some Hyundai owners still can't pronounce it correctly and it hasn't posed any problems with sales. I also remember when people used to say "I'd never buy a car branded Killed In Action". And now? How many KIAs do you see sharing the roads with you? Toyota first entries in the US was once laughed at and called toys. At the end of the day, success isn't hanging on the name. It's how much car people get per dollar.

Chinese cars represent unfair advantage. True. At the same time the US car industry needs competition, to give it a swift kick in the arse. It's been far too complacent and far too focused on returns for the boardroom members. They need to catch up instead of whining about how life is unfair.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

First time I saw one it was clear to me it would for sure face legal challenges from Ford, if they were to sell it in the US. Much in the same way Jeep challenged Mahindra for its Roxor (side-by-side UTV) when it had a front end that was a straight ripp-off of the iconic CJ series.

Most Americans don't even know Rivians are American-made. They'd be completely oblivious to what BYD stands for. For that matter, BYD is probably more palatable than Xpeng. Even then, any misgivings over the foreign name would be temporary. Some Hyundai owners still can't pronounce it correctly and it hasn't posed any problems with sales. I also remember when people used to say "I'd never buy a car branded Killed In Action". And now? How many KIAs do you see sharing the roads with you? At the end of the day, success isn't hanging on the name. It's how much car people get per dollar.

Chinese cars represent unfair advantage. True. At the same time the US car industry needs competition, to give it a swift kick in the arse. It's been far too complacent and far too focused on returns for the boardroom members.

KIA doesn't steal intellectual property from trademark holders like China does. I have an issue with China because its government steals the work of others and passes it off as its own. That said, legacy auto's overall state is pathetic, and they deserve to be beaten. Look at how much Rivian, Lucid, and even Tesla offer in increased specs over legacy auto. That's why I'm glad for companies like Rivian.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

KIA doesn't steal intellectual property from trademark holders like China does. I have an issue with China because its government steals the work of others and passes it off as its own. That said, legacy auto's overall state is pathetic, and they deserve to be beaten. Look at how much Rivian, Lucid, and even Tesla offer in increased specs over legacy auto. That's why I'm glad for companies like Rivian.

Everyone steals. Some just don't bother covering it up.

 

[hammick]

BYD (Build Your Dreams) is the dumbest name for a car manufacturer I’ve ever heard.

I know it’s irrational, but it’s the automotive equivalent to someone with a face that just needs to be punched.

I'm guessing your aren't a fan of the movie Cocktail

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