BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle and battery giant, has just produced its 6 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV) at the Zhengzhou factory in China, marking a significant advancement in the automaker’s electric vehicle strategy since 2008.
Jubilee model
According to the press release, BYD’s 6 millionth NEV model that rolled off the production line on Friday is the BAO 5 or Leopard 5.
For context, the Jubilee model is under the company’s new sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao portfolio. It is a super hybrid hardcore sports utility vehicle (SUV), which BYD commemorated at a special ceremony attended by representative employees.
In hindsight, BYD just introduced the Fang Cheng Bao 5 last August, while production and deliveries began in November.
Production milestones
BYD boasts that it is the first to achieve this major milestone in the global auto industry. However, it must be noted that this accomplishment only covers the NEV segment.
Other legacy automakers have already surpassed that threshold, including Toyota, which crossed the 15 million self-charging hybrids production in 2020. America’s Tesla also achieved the 5 million BEV production milestone in September this year.
ArenaEV noted that BYD produced its first million NEV production 13 years after its transition in 2008. Its 2 millionth NEV production milestone followed in just 12 months, and another 6 months for the 3rd million.
The 5th production milestone occurred in the subsequent 9 months. Finally, the company is now at its 6th NEV production milestone.
BYD’s shift to e-mobility
According to CarScoops, BYD took a significant leap when it decided to halt the production of its traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in April 2022.
It is a crucial part of its strategy to focus its expertise and resources on the flourishing NEV industry, including battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and range-extenders.
BYD’s shift to NEVs is unsurprising, considering the increasing prevalence of clean energy vehicles in the world’s largest auto market. The company’s rapid advancement in the NEV industry demonstrates its commitment to defending its dominant position against its strong rivals and emerging startups.
