Byd bets on exports and premium area to return to growth

Just as the Beijing Auto Show closed its doors, Byd announced the worst accounts in its short history. In the first quarter of 2026, the Chinese auto giant's sales dropped 11.8% and profit 55% compared to the same period in 2025. Sales fell by 15.7%, but outside China they grew by 70.9%. But if one looks closely at the multinational company's numbers, the picture of the Chinese car market and Byd becomes clear. In the period January-April 2026, Byd sold just over 1 million cars, 59.8% outside China. To the domestic crisis, Byd and China (the strategy is common to all large groups) respond with an international offensive. If the goal for 2026, declared several times by the company's top management, is to reach 1.5 million vehicles sold abroad, Stella Li, the group's vice-president, explained in Beijing how she intends to achieve it. "To get the group's sales and accounts back on track, we need to push into international markets with new models and we need to increase our presence in the premium and luxury segments, those with the highest profitability. International markets and the premium segment'. And these are the way out with wide margins compared to a Chinese market that has become asphyctic due to extreme competition, especially on price, from competitors. In Beijing, the overview of new models presented was extensive. The Ocean-V family mobility concept, the Sealon 08 suv, and the Denza, Byd's premium brand, the Denza Z spider and the Denza N9 flagship. Also showcased is the Yangwang U9 Xtreme hypercar. The aim of expanding the offering to the premium and luxury segments is clear.

The strategy is differentiated by geographic areas. Denza N9, a supersuv that can be offered at a much more competitive price than its Western counterparts, will be launched in Europe. With regard to Seal 8, Sealion 8 and the third generation Atto 3, an assessment is underway on how and when to land in Europe and also in Italia. Denza Z, on the other hand, is for the time being a demonstration operation, at least for European markets. Denza Z, the world's fastest spider. Exhibited in Beijing in the cabriolet version, the Denza Z was created by a global design team led by Wolfgang Egger. A challenge to European competitors who dominate in supercars.

In the background of it all are electrification technologies such as Flash charging and the second-generation Blade battery. Flash charging, which has an energy accumulator to support it, can charge two cars at the same time with power up to 1,000 kw. In five minutes charging goes from 10 to 70 per cent and in nine minutes to 90 per cent. Recharging is also possible at minus 35 degrees Celsius. 330 columns will be installed in Europe, of which 150 in Italia.