> I highly doubt BYD could sell a car in the US for $20k.
Yeah I see no way that happens. They have no dealer network to fall back on, so they have to either partner with someone already established, or they have to try and spin up a mobile service network like Tesla did. That costs money, and isn't going to happen while selling $20K cars.
Lots of variables at play here, so obviously this isn’t a perfect comparison. But… BYD has a presence in Australia. Cheapest car here is AUD$39K. Meanwhile a Tesla Model 3 starts at AUD$69K.
In NZ, MG (brand of SAIC) EVs are going great, because they're cheapest. (MG also sells hybrids still for the rural market here.) BYD is doing well too.
Great Wall Motors (Haval, GWM brands) is trying to push hybrids here. China already has its own legacy manufacturers like Toyota or Volkswagen.
Both, Volve and JLR, are actually hreat examples of what can happen when the rich owner doesn't interfere with operations. JLR all of a sudden is doing great, building great cars as a kind of nieche luxury brand. Volvo the same. None did particulary well under Ford's ownership. Sadly, Saab was killed by GM before it could be saved.
In fact, JLR and Volvo were more "brands" under Ford ownership, as compared to now where both are independent car makers.
Volvo's >80% privately owned by one Chinese guy (through a holding company).
So yes, it's a Chinese company, as much as the ownership of any large modern conglomerate can be attributed to a given nation. If that one guy wants all Volvo's to be shipped fluorescent pink it's going to happen.
Note that I was referring to Volvo Cars, the company that manufactures trucks etc. isn't owned by the same holding company, but they've got an agreement to share the "Volvo" brand.
Yeah I see no way that happens. They have no dealer network to fall back on, so they have to either partner with someone already established, or they have to try and spin up a mobile service network like Tesla did. That costs money, and isn't going to happen while selling $20K cars.