00:02That's a briefing for us and we answer with engineering and not with marketing.
00:06The conversion rate from test drive to purchase is outstanding in every market.
00:18Welcome to The Big Question.
00:21The series from Euronews where we speak to some of the biggest names making waves in Europe.
00:26On today's show I'm joined by Maria Grazia Di Vino,
00:29Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director at BYD Europe.
00:33Thank you very much for joining us.
00:34So BYD is a pretty new player in the European market.
00:37Tell me a little bit about your recent growth and how do you see your role within the market here?
00:41Yeah, we're running fast.
00:43BYD is, I think, achieving great results.
00:46And how we do that, we are present in all markets and we start being present in all markets
00:51with national sales companies or organizations that are following the market specifics
00:56with local people.
00:57And I think the key is the network.
01:00BYD comes to Europe with a full commitment to enrich the industry.
01:05That's a very interesting industry and we have the technology, a superior technology
01:10and the product to play the game.
01:13There has been some narrative around it.
01:15I want to conquer.
01:17No, it's not about conquer.
01:18We can't.
01:19We are so small compared to the others.
01:21And I always say we are fueled by the challenges that also humble us.
01:27Of course, I have to mention that we bring new products, products that fit the industry
01:33because we want to be relevant in every segment that matters to the European industry.
01:38In terms of numbers, I think what's most important now is the curve of growth.
01:44And the ending point is an ending point of relevance.
01:48So you said there about, you know, bringing new products to market.
01:51And what do Europeans want from their cars?
01:54And, you know, how is BYD fulfilling those needs?
01:56People want safe cars that look good, that are comfortable because you live with your car,
02:03in your car.
02:04And, of course, they want technology.
02:07And why the need for technology is increasing?
02:10Because, you see, I have two phones here on the table.
02:12It means that we are enriching our environment as human beings with technology.
02:18And this is something that we need.
02:19And BYD brings this in the cars for everyone.
02:23And when it comes to environmental-friendly sensitivity and the market trend,
02:28of course, we have the best electric vehicle, affordable.
02:32You think about Dolphin Surf, which is a compact car, very successful, a great product.
02:39But also, we have developed, and we are actually the first one developing,
02:43a super hybrid that is a car that gives an alternative.
02:47So people are looking also for alternatives.
02:50That's, I think, a key word, alternatives.
02:52Interesting.
02:53If a customer has a concern, that's a brief thing for us,
02:57and we answer with engineering and not with marketing.
03:02According to data from ESEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association,
03:10in the first half of 2025, hybrid electric vehicles continued to grow in popularity
03:15and remain as the most popular power type among buyers in Europe, with 34.8% of sales.
03:21Why do you think specifically hybrid electric vehicles are so popular in Europe?
03:25I gave you a key word, alternative.
03:28That's, I think, the best alternative.
03:31You have a true electric vehicle with 100 km range.
03:35For example, with the CL6 DMI Touring that we have brought,
03:39you have a vehicle that does not give you any anxiety.
03:43With our vehicle, you can go up to 1,350 km range.
03:48So this technology, well-developed at an affordable price,
03:54is giving people a convenient alternative.
03:58Has there been any challenges in kind of building consumer confidence here?
04:02Obviously, you know, there's other Chinese brands that we've seen in the news,
04:05like Huawei having some limitations and TikTok being banned in EU institutions.
04:09Do you find that that has created any nervousness around Chinese brands in Europe?
04:14Yeah, I want to underline that BYD is a global brand.
04:19And that's not just a claim or a tag.
04:22It is, because, you see, I'm not Chinese,
04:26and there are so many colleagues from so many parts of the world,
04:30and we are active and leading markets everywhere in the world,
04:33not doing only automotive business, but also other business.
04:37The challenges are if they're there in terms of trust or convincing the customers.
04:43I mean, after the product is tested, it's done.
04:47People sit in the car, and you surprisingly see that the immediate acceptance is there.
04:54But actually, we exceed customers' expectations.
04:57This is not only my direct experience, done on me,
05:01what I observe, what customers tell me, what dealers tell me,
05:04and the conversion rate from test drive to purchase is outstanding in every market.
05:13Interesting.
05:14BYD really has kind of grown at breakneck speed in Europe.
05:18What are your plans to try and sustain this pace and continue to thrive in Europe?
05:22Is it possible to continue the curve?
05:24It must be possible.
05:25Yes, it is.
05:26We will continue working hard.
05:28Of course, in terms of structure, we need to continue working on the distribution network.
05:33In all countries, we are really at the nearly stage,
05:36even if our progresses are remarkable.
05:38And the new products will come and help.
05:42We will continue exploring the dual-mode intelligence technology,
05:46so this is a super hybrid alternative, and that's the way we are working.
05:50And the commission has suggested Chinese manufacturers having to partner
05:55with European brands in the future.
05:57Do you think that this is something that BYD would consider?
06:00Would you team up with a European car brand?
06:02I don't know about partnership with a European brand.
06:05However, in my line in the markets and the line of the company is collaborate and compete.
06:11That's, I think, the key of the future success for everyone.
06:15We can collaborate and compete.
06:18And actually, you're working to kind of establish more bases in Europe right now.
06:21So you're building your first manufacturing plant in Hungary.
06:24When is production going to start there, and what will it mean for European customers?
06:27It starts by the end of the year.
06:29The first product we will be producing there is Dolphin Surf.
06:34And that's just a start because at our plants, we can produce more than one car line.
06:41So that makes our productivity very flexible.
06:44That's where we start.
06:45We have to ramp up, of course.
06:46A new plant is a child.
06:48It will be for sure more convenient because you have the short supply chain and you can
06:53serve the market from inside, which saves you time.
06:56The time to market is much shorter.
06:58Looking to the future, what do you think comes next?
07:01How do you see the future of the industry developing?
07:03I see an increasing diversity in technology and individual purchase behavior addressed to multiple alternatives.
07:15I think we will be surprised by the next wave of young generations starting experiencing and buying mobility.
07:23And this is something we have to look at digitalization, AI contents in the product, software development.
07:33And this is the most exciting trend that comes, I don't want to say next, that is already now a challenge for the mobility and the development of it.
07:44Okay, brilliant.
07:45Well, thank you so much for your insights today.
07:47And thank you for joining me on The Big Question.
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