Latest news with #FangChengBao
Tatler Asia
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Tatler Asia
From drones to AI, the EV industry is embracing tech-forward design
Above The XPeng AeroHT Land Aircraft Carrier consists of a MPV land module and a folding eVTOL aircraft (Photo: XPeng) Other concept models in China are pushing boundaries such as the XPeng AeroHT Land Aircraft Carrier, a six-wheel hybrid MPV with a docking two-seat electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Meanwhile, many EVs now sport giant infotainment displays, AI voice assistants and software-driven personalisation options. BYD's Fang Cheng Bao brand explicitly emphasises customisation and digital lifestyle features for a younger generation. The overarching design trend is clear: EV makers are turning vehicles into high-tech living spaces and gadgets, using novel features to stand out in an increasingly crowded market. Also read: Introducing Xpeng, the Chinese company building the future with EVs, flying cars and robots Going from domestic success to conquering global sales China's electric vehicle manufacturers are no longer content with domination at home—they are aggressively setting their sights overseas. BYD, now China's largest automaker by sales, illustrates this ambition clearly: the company aims to sell half of its vehicles outside China by 2030, a staggering goal that would catapult it into the ranks of the world's top-selling auto brands. This global push comes on the heels of breakneck growth in China. BYD's sales have surged from under 430,000 units in 2020 to 4.27 million in 2024 (including hybrids), overtaking longtime joint-venture giants. Having achieved scale at home, BYD and its peers are rapidly turning outward. Early signs back this up. In the first quarter of 2025, BYD's EV sales in Europe more than quadrupled year-on-year to over 37,000 units, giving it about a 4.1 per cent share of Europe's battery-electric market. Chinese EV brands collectively are gaining ground across Europe—in some months of 2023, Chinese manufacturers (including MG, BYD, NIO, XPeng, etc.) captured roughly 10 to 11 per cent of Western Europe's new electric vehicle registrations, a record high that has drawn intense scrutiny from regulators. Above The BYD Atto 3 is a compact electric SUV that is selling well in international markets (Photos: BYD) Markets like Southeast Asia and Latin America are also seeing an influx of Chinese EVs, often at price points and vehicle segments underserved by legacy competitors. For example, BYD has been exporting affordable models like the Atto 3 (also known as the Yuan Plus) to countries such as Thailand and Brazil, where they quickly became top sellers in the EV category. XPeng, another prominent Chinese electric vehicle maker, entered 30 new global markets in 2024 and plans to expand to 30 more in 2025, focusing on Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America (notably avoiding the US for now due to trade barriers). Creating a shakeup among global EV makers This global march of Chinese EV players is reshaping the industry's landscape and prompting responses from incumbents. Established Western and Japanese automakers, which once counted on China as a growth market for their own cars, now find themselves defending home turf against an onslaught of high-tech, competitively priced Chinese EVs. European regulators have even launched probes into whether Chinese EV imports benefit from unfair subsidies, and the EU has maintained import tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars. However, consumer interest in these new entrants is real—their value proposition (often more features for less money) is hard to ignore. The United States remains largely off-limits to Chinese automakers due to tariffs and political restrictions on Chinese tech, but Chinese companies are making inroads virtually everywhere else. A manufacturing superpower flexes its muscle Above BYD is a vertically-integrated car maker that manufactures all vehicle components in-house (Photo: BYD) Crucially, Chinese EV manufacturers enjoy structural advantages that bolster their global expansion. Many have deep vertical integration and cost-efficient supply chains, partly thanks to China's dominant battery industry and economies of scale at home. BYD, for instance, produces its own batteries and a large share of its components in-house, helping it undercut competitors on price while still turning a profit. This has allowed them to make high-end EV tech accessible at mass-market prices, a strategy that forces others to respond or lose ground. Western automakers are feeling the squeeze: Tesla, for example, saw its first-ever annual drop in market share in 2024 as Chinese rivals surged, and is now racing to develop a cheaper model to compete. The future of EV might be in Asia Above BYD's Titanium 3 electric SUV is available in five variants with a starting price of $18,300 (Photo: BYD) The story of BYD's Titanium 3 electric SUV is about much more than one vehicle's specifications—it encapsulates the convergence of design innovation, market strategy and competitive dynamics that is defining the current chapter of the auto industry. With its blend of high-tech features (from drones to advanced AI driving aids) and low pricing, the Titanium 3 demonstrates how Chinese EV makers are rewriting the rules of competition. The rapid global expansion of these brands—even as they force faster innovation from the old guard—points to a future where consumers worldwide will have a far greater variety of electric cars to choose from, many originating from China and other Asian nations. The takeaway is clear: the EV landscape is transforming quickly, driven by cross-pollination of technologies (automotive and high-tech) and fierce competition that is erasing old boundaries. Companies that can combine technological prowess, efficient manufacturing, and smart branding are increasingly setting the pace. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
Tatler Asia
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Tatler Asia
BYD launches electric SUV with integrated drone that flies while driving
Deployable roof drone as an impressive extra Above The roof-mounted hangar can deploy the drone in stationary position or at speeds up to 25 km/h. (Photo: BYD / Fang Cheng Bao) The top-of-the-line Titanium 3 4WD Drone Version model comes with a unique accessory not seen in competing SUVs. Mounted on the roof rack is a drone hangar that can deploy a DJI Air 3S drone. The drone can be deployed when the SUV is stationary or moving at speeds below 25 km/h. With a press of a button, the drone bay doors open and the drone launches Above Titanium 3 4WD Drone Version model has an estimated price of US$26,667. (Photo: BYD / Fang Cheng Bao) The drone can shoot 4K video with its dual camera system and take AI-assisted high-resolution photos. Besides capturing aerial videos and stills, the drone can be used to scout ahead and survey the surrounding area or determine passable routes. This is pretty helpful in off-road situations when the driver may not be familiar with the terrain. The drone can recharge when it is docked inside the hangar. Packed with performance and tech The Titanium 3 has an estimated range of 420 km. The 4WD model can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 201 km/h. The specs are pretty impressive, especially considering it weighs more than two tonnes. Support for a 237 kW charger enables quick charging from 30 to 80 per cent battery level in 18 minutes. Being a BYD vehicle, the SUV has an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) called the God's Eye system, which uses multiple cameras and radars. God's Eye can help with automated parking and assistance, active obstacle avoidance and highway navigation. Above The interior of the Titanium 3 has similarities with another off-road BYD vehicle, the Shark. (Photo: BYD, Fang Cheng Bao) The Titanium 3 has a tire stability control system that can stabilise the vehicle in the event of a tire blowout at speeds over 80 km/h. The vehicle is also equipped with an intelligent adaptive suspension system for a smoother ride. Deliveries of the vehicle started in April 2025 in its home market. The global release of the Titanium 3 has not yet been announced, but it may launch under the Denza sub-brand, similar to the expected wider release of other Fang Cheng Bao vehicles.
South China Morning Post
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
BYD's US$18,300 electric SUV has autopilot-like system, and a DJI drone in premium model
China's BYD , the world's largest electric vehicle maker, has launched its new Titanium 3 SUV at a starting price of 133,800 yuan (US$18,320), intensifying its push to dominate the market through aggressive pricing and new technologies. Advertisement The new model, with five variants, is the first in BYD's new Titanium series under its premium Fang Cheng Bao brand, which literally means 'formula leopard'. The Titanium series is meant to appeal to younger consumers with more sporty, stylish designs and technologies such as its new advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). It includes a customisable facade, and the most expensive model, priced at 193,800 yuan, includes a DJI Air 3 drone mounted on the roof. As its namesake chemical element suggests, the Titanium 3 is being sold as a tough vehicle capable of handling a wide variety of terrains. It can detect snow and mud, and assist drivers in getting the vehicle unstuck from sand. The embedded ADAS, dubbed 'God's Eye', can also navigate highways and self-park. In February, BYD said the system would eventually be introduced to nearly all of its vehicles – including the Seagull hatchback, which starts at 69,800 yuan. Visitors at the Titanium 3 launch event look check out the new SUV. Photo: Coco Feng The launch comes as BYD capitalises on Tesla's struggles in China , where the US EV maker has halted orders for its US-made Model S and Model X amid an escalating trade war between Beijing and Washington. Tesla sales in the country were once seen as a bellwether for the domestic EV market, with the company establishing a plant in Shanghai in 2019. Advertisement
