Tesla cut EV prices in China more than BYD

BEIJING — Tesla cut prices for its electric cars in China by more than BYD did for its flagship Han Sedan, according to analysis yesterday from US-based firm JL Warren Capital.

Tesla reduced the price of its Model 3 by 6 percent compared to December last year, and cut the price of Model Y by 11 percent during the same period of time, JL Warren Capital CEO and Head of Research Junheng Li said in the report.

BYD’s Han only saw a 5 percent price decrease during that time, she said.

The Han, the company’s premium electric sedan, sells in a similar price range as Tesla’s cars — above 200 000 yuan (US$28 000). Most of BYD’s other cars cost much less.

The report showed that BYD increased its sales promotions throughout the year, shaving 10 percent or 17 percent off the price of some mass market models.

“Double-digit discounts are a common promotion by (original equipment manufacturers) to stimulate sell-through and meet the sales target,” Li said.

High-end electric car startup Nio also cut prices this year, despite initially trying to avoid getting caught up in an industry price war.

“Unlike in the EU or the US, residual values do not appear to feature highly in Chinese consumers’ purchase decisions,” HSBC analysts said in a December 4 report about the auto industry.

“That is perhaps the reason why price competition is so severe in China relative to EU/US.”

Thanks partly to government support, penetration of new energy vehicles, which include battery and hybrid-powered cars, has surged to well over one-third of new passenger cars sold in China. — CNBC.