Summary
- BYD is recalling 96,714 electric vehicles due to risks of a part overheating
- The recall includes Dolphin and Yuan PLUS EVs made between November 2022 and December 2023
- The issue is with the column-assist electric power steering system, which may have cracks causing a short circuit
- BYD dealers will fix the vehicles at no cost to the customer
- BYD is the biggest Chinese EV maker and has seen significant growth in sales of new energy vehicles, overtaking Tesla in BEV sales in the last quarter of 2023
Article
Chinese automaker BYD Co Ltd is recalling 96,714 electric vehicles due to risks of a part overheating, according to the country’s market regulator. The recalled vehicles include domestically produced Dolphin and Yuan PLUS EVs manufactured between November 2022 and December 2023. It is unclear if all the vehicles are in operation within China or if some were also exported.
The recall is being issued because the capacitor within the column-assist electric power steering system may have cracks, leading to a short circuit and increasing the risk of overheating or fire. BYD dealers will address the issue with a physical fix on the vehicles at no cost to the customer. The company did not respond immediately to requests for comment from Benzinga.
BYD is the largest Chinese EV maker, having sold 2,328,449 new energy vehicles (NEVs) by the end of August this year, including passenger and commercial vehicles. This marks a nearly 30% increase from the same period last year. NEV includes both battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
In the last quarter of 2023, BYD surpassed Tesla Inc. in battery electric vehicle sales with 526,409 BEVs sold compared to Tesla’s 484,507 EVs. However, Tesla reclaimed the top spot in the first quarter of 2024. BYD recently celebrated a milestone by producing its 9 millionth NEV, a red Yangwang U9 supercar under the luxury brand Yangwang.
The recall of nearly 100,000 electric vehicles by BYD raises concerns about safety and quality control in the rapidly growing EV market. As more companies enter the EV space, ensuring the safety and reliability of these vehicles becomes increasingly important. BYD’s response to the issue will be closely watched to see how they handle the recall process and reassure customers about the safety of their products.
With the increasing competition in the EV market, companies like BYD will need to prioritize quality control and customer safety to maintain their reputation and market share. This recall serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with rapid growth and the importance of addressing potential issues quickly and effectively. As the industry continues to evolve, companies will need to adapt and prioritize safety to succeed in the competitive EV market.
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