BYD: Les constructeurs européens doivent-ils vraiment avoir peur des véhicules électriques chinois ?
« Le taux de conversion entre l'essai du véhicule et l'achat est exceptionnel sur tous les marchés », a déclaré Maria Grazia Davino, de BYD, à The Big Question.
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.
00:21This 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 Devino.
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 with national sales companies.
00:52So organizations that are following the market specifics with local people.
00:57and I think the key is the network.
01:01BYD 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 and the product to play the game.
01:13There has been some narrative around it.
01:15I want to conquer.
01:16We are so small compared to the others and 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 because 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 and the ending point is an ending point of relevance.
01:47So you said there about, you know, bringing new products to market and what do Europeans want from their cars and, you know, how is the OID fulfilling those needs?
01:56People want safe cars that look good, that are comfortable because you live with your car in your car and, of course, they want technology and why the need for technology is increasing because you see I have two phones here on the table.
02:12It means that we are enriching our environment as human beings with technology and this is something that we need and BYD brings this in the cars for everyone and when it comes to environmental friendly sensitivity and the market trend, of course, we have the best electric vehicle, affordable.
02:32You think about Dolphin Surf, which is a compact car, very successful, a great product, but also we have developed and we are actually the first one developing a super hybrid that is a car that gives an alternative.
02:47So people are looking also for alternatives. That's, I think, a key word, alternatives.
02:52Interesting. If a customer has a concern, that's a briefing for us and we answer with engineering and not with marketing.
03:02According to data from ASEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, in the first half of 2025, hybrid electric vehicles continued to grow in popularity and 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. That's, I think, the best alternative.
03:30You have a true electric vehicle with 100 km range. For example, with the CL6 DMI Touring that we have brought, you have a vehicle that does not give you any anxiety.
03:42With our vehicle, you can go up to 1,350 km range. So this technology, well developed at an affordable price, is giving people a convenient alternative.
03:57Have there been any challenges in kind of building consumer confidence here? Obviously, you know, there's other Chinese brands that we've seen in the news like Huawei having some limitations and TikTok being banned in 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. And that's not just a claim or a tag. It is. Because you see, I'm not Chinese and there are so many colleagues from so many parts of the world and we are active and leading markets everywhere in the world.
04:33Not doing only automotive business, but also other business. The 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. People sit in the car and you surprisingly see that the immediate acceptance is there. But actually we exceed customers' expectations.
04:56This is not only my direct experience, it's done on me. What I observe, what customers tell me, what dealers tell me. And the conversion rate from test drive to purchase is outstanding in every market.
05:12Interesting. BYD really has kind of grown at breakneck speed in Europe. What are your plans to try and sustain this pace and continue to thrive in Europe? Is it possible to continue the curve?
05:23It must be possible. Yes, it is. We will continue working hard. Of course, in terms of structure, we need to continue working on the distribution network in all countries. We are really at the nearly stage, even if our progress is remarkable and the new products will come and help.
05:41We will continue exploring the dual mode intelligence technology. So this is a super hybrid alternative. And that's the way we're working.
05:49And the commission has suggested Chinese manufacturers having to partner with European brands in the future. Do you think that this is something that BYD would consider? Would you team up with a European car brand?
06:01I don't know about partnership with a European brand. However, in my line in the markets and the line of the company is collaborate and compete. That's, I think, the key of the future success for everyone. Collaborate and compete.
06:16And actually, you're working to kind of establish more bases in Europe right now. So you're building your first manufacturing plant in Hungary. When is production going to start there? And what will it mean for European customers?
06:26It starts by end of the year. The first product we will be producing there is Dolphin Surf. And that's just a start because at our plants, we can produce more than one car line. So that makes our productivity very flexible. That's where we start. We have to ramp up. Of course, a new plant is a child. It will be for sure more convenient because you have the short supply chain and you can serve the market from inside, which saves you time. The time is more convenient.
06:48It will be for sure more convenient because you have the short supply chain and you can serve the market from inside, which saves you time. The time to market is much shorter. Looking to the future, what do you think comes next? How do you see the future of the industry developing? I see an increasing diversity in technology and individual purchase behaviour addressed to multiple alternatives.
07:18I see the future of young generations starting experiencing and buying mobility. And this is something we have to look at. Digitalisation, AI contents in the product, software development. This is the most exciting trend that comes. I don't want to say next. It is already now a challenge for the mobility and the development of it.
07:44Okay. Brilliant. Well, thank you so much for your insights today. And thank you for joining me on The Big Question.
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