BYD cars

[Deleted User]

Car_54 said:

[Deleted User] said:

boxosox said:

I could never buy a car called "Build Your Dreams".

Plus, I think everyone should think hard before buying Chinese goods.  I've been doing so for the last 4-5 years.  It's hard (so much is manufacturered there) but I personally would never buy a product made in China by a Chinese company.

This is basically what it comes down to. BYD have a lot of experience with EVs and they are very nice cars. So either you are a racist or you aren't. You judge their products on their merits, or you just won't buy it because it's made by a Chinese company.

By the way, a lot of other cars from other manufacturers have Chinese parts in them. Their EV technology is unbeatable - Teslas made in China with Chinese batteries from CATL perform better than the American made ones. It's going to be hard for dedicated racists to buy a vehicle soon, especially if they don't want to compromise.

You don't need to be a racist to be uneasy about buying Chinese goods: just appalled by their human rights record.

"Their" human rights record? You mean the Chinese government's human rights record.

Maybe you are familiar with how it's okay to criticise the Israeli government, but not Jews or all Israelis. It's the same here, saying "their human rights record" is racist, and most Chinese people aren't even aware of what the government is doing.

If you have evidence that BYD has a poor human rights record, feel free to share it. But don't be racist about Chinese people - pick your words carefully.

ontheroad1970

born_again said:

Wonder how many people realise MG is a Chinese brand.

Or that their Apple products, while proudly 'designed in California' are manufactured in China

[Deleted User]

Tahlullah.H said:

I think Volvo are as well.

Volvo Cars (not trucks or the other companies named Volvo) are owned by Geely, which is Chinese. Same with their EV brand Polestar. That's why they are so good - unrivalled Chinese battery tech, and Volvo quality and design.

Geely also owns Lotus and London EV Company (the latter makes taxis).

Jaguar Land Rover is Indian now, owned by Tata Motors. Unlike Volvo/Polestar/MG, they seem to have some major quality issues, but that might be because they still do a lot of engineering in the UK.

MouldyOldDough

So what you are basically saying is that it is virtually impossible to avoid Chinese manufacture nowadays ?

Ditzy_Mitzy

MouldyOldDough said:

So what you are basically saying is that it is virtually impossible to avoid Chinese manufacture nowadays ?

Yes.  If one were to start opening up the electronic modules fitted in even the most expensive 'German' car, one would find the components marked 'Made in China'...  

Car_54

[Deleted User] said:

Car_54 said:

[Deleted User] said:

boxosox said:

I could never buy a car called "Build Your Dreams".

Plus, I think everyone should think hard before buying Chinese goods.  I've been doing so for the last 4-5 years.  It's hard (so much is manufacturered there) but I personally would never buy a product made in China by a Chinese company.

This is basically what it comes down to. BYD have a lot of experience with EVs and they are very nice cars. So either you are a racist or you aren't. You judge their products on their merits, or you just won't buy it because it's made by a Chinese company.

By the way, a lot of other cars from other manufacturers have Chinese parts in them. Their EV technology is unbeatable - Teslas made in China with Chinese batteries from CATL perform better than the American made ones. It's going to be hard for dedicated racists to buy a vehicle soon, especially if they don't want to compromise.

You don't need to be a racist to be uneasy about buying Chinese goods: just appalled by their human rights record.

"Their" human rights record? You mean the Chinese government's human rights record.

Yes, the Chinese government. For those who care about these things, buying Chinese products helps prop up that government.

There is no shortage of other odious regimes to boycott, without being racist.

daveyjp

If the move to EVs is to be successful in the current timescale it will need countries with low costs of production to step in to provide the goods at an affordable price. Not everyone can choose £70k+ German brands.

Kia/Hyundai are part of that, but it will be Chinese manfacturers filling the gap.  MG have a very small foothold, but others will come along and the Geely, BYD groups will be at the forefront if the likes of Ford, Selentis, Nissan/Renault can't provide,

MouldyOldDough

daveyjp said:

If the move to EVs is to be successful in the current timescale it will need countries with low costs of production to step in to provide the goods at an affordable price. Not everyone can choose £70k+ German brands.

Kia/Hyundai are part of that, but it will be Chinese manfacturers filling the gap.  MG have a very small foothold, but others will come along and the Geely, BYD groups will be at the forefront if the likes of Ford, Selentis, Nissan/Renault can't provide,

But before we get the cars - we need the infrastructure, surely the Chinese can help with that as well ?

[Deleted User]

MouldyOldDough said:

daveyjp said:

If the move to EVs is to be successful in the current timescale it will need countries with low costs of production to step in to provide the goods at an affordable price. Not everyone can choose £70k+ German brands.

Kia/Hyundai are part of that, but it will be Chinese manfacturers filling the gap.  MG have a very small foothold, but others will come along and the Geely, BYD groups will be at the forefront if the likes of Ford, Selentis, Nissan/Renault can't provide,

But before we get the cars - we need the infrastructure, surely the Chinese can help with that as well ?

They make good chargers too. I'm sure they would come and install them if we asked, like they offered to build HS2 for £5 billion...

[Deleted User]

Car_54 said:

[Deleted User] said:

Car_54 said:

[Deleted User] said:

boxosox said:

I could never buy a car called "Build Your Dreams".

Plus, I think everyone should think hard before buying Chinese goods.  I've been doing so for the last 4-5 years.  It's hard (so much is manufacturered there) but I personally would never buy a product made in China by a Chinese company.

This is basically what it comes down to. BYD have a lot of experience with EVs and they are very nice cars. So either you are a racist or you aren't. You judge their products on their merits, or you just won't buy it because it's made by a Chinese company.

By the way, a lot of other cars from other manufacturers have Chinese parts in them. Their EV technology is unbeatable - Teslas made in China with Chinese batteries from CATL perform better than the American made ones. It's going to be hard for dedicated racists to buy a vehicle soon, especially if they don't want to compromise.

You don't need to be a racist to be uneasy about buying Chinese goods: just appalled by their human rights record.

"Their" human rights record? You mean the Chinese government's human rights record.

Yes, the Chinese government. For those who care about these things, buying Chinese products helps prop up that government.

There is no shortage of other odious regimes to boycott, without being racist.

Hmm, but whose cars are you going to buy then?

The American government is known to torture people, has been keeping people at Guantanamo for over two decades without charge, is systematically racist, and the manufacturers are not doing enough about climate change. The American people seem to love inefficient trucks.

European cars are okay I guess, unless you have some weird issue with the EU. Maybe not Italian cars, their government just took lesbian mother's names off birth certificates. Some brands are assembled in Eastern European countries with issues too. I think some Jaguars are, like their i-Pace.

The UK is obvious off limits, just look at our immigration policy and government threatening to withdraw human rights.

The Japanese still haven't apologised enough to the Koreans and Chinese, and have big issues with sexism and LGBTQ rights.

So maybe a German or French or Spanish car? Dacia are based in Romania.

I'd suggest taking the bus, but you don't want to prop up the British government.