The Cybertruck has been a reference Cybertruck since the moment Tesla started deliveries and revealed the official specs. Everybody wants a piece of it. Furthermore, everybody wants to beat it in every way possible. But when Tesla ramps up production, sales figures might be favouring the Cybertruck. BYD, though, has an ace up its sleeve.
BYD has been battling Tesla in terms of sales for quite some time. However, for the moment, they just have to settle with being the global new energy vehicle (NEV) sales champion in 2022 and 2023. But by "new energy vehicle," they refer to both EVs and hybrids. They sold over 3 million NEVs last year, without mentioning the exact numbers of BEVs.
Meanwhile, Tesla sold 1.8 million cars worldwide. But the automaker only started deliveries of the Cybertruck in late November. Once it ramps up production at the Giga Texas, things might be different, even though Tesla is also going through a sales meltdown, just like Ford and other EV manufacturers, who decided to reduce production of electric cars and prioritize ICEs. Tesla, however, has no other option but EVs.
Tesla posted its first annual drop in sales since the year of the global pandemic. The automaker built 433,000 vehicles in the first quarter of 2024 but only delivered 387,000. That is down from 484,507 examples delivered in the last quarter of last year or the 422,875 sold in the first quarter of 2023.
BYD is launching a rival for the Cybertruck and F-150 Lightning
BYD has unveiled plans to launch an electric pickup truck that should compete against the Tesla Cybertruck, Ford F-150 Lightning, the Chevrolet Silverado EV, and Rivian R1T. The Chinese car company has developed a midsize-to-large pickup truck that will be available on the global market.
However, BYD's Executive Vice President and CEO of BYD Americas, Stella Li, labels the American market as "complicated," which might be an indication that the truck won’t make it to the US. If the Chinese model won't sell in the United States, while the Tesla Cybertruck has little chance of selling in China, they will only compete from afar. All the other Teslas, the Model 3, Model Y, Model X, and Model S, are available on the Chinese market.
Photo: BYD
In China, the Cybertruck is classified as a light-duty truck, which involves a different driver's license as well as access restrictions on certain roads and in certain cities. It would also have a speed limit of 62 mph (100 kph) imposed on it once it hits the Chinese market if ever.
The Tesla Cybertruck toured China this past winter. The vehicle was there only on display and attracted quite a crowd, with people queuing to take a closer look at it. With all the hype built around it, no wonder its arrival sparked that much interest.
For the first time, BYD has shown its future electric pickup truck wearing a blue and orange camouflage that can’t hide the boxy shape of the model. It sports an upright massive front faux grille flanked by split headlights, bringing Ford F-150 Lightning vibes. The wheels are also covered in the bi-tone pattern.
According to the local media, BYD is planning to launch the model before the end of the year. Unlike Tesla, BYD has a habit of meeting deadlines. The Chinese have not released any information on pricing and specs. The name of the upcoming pickup truck has not yet been disclosed. We expect that to happen closer to the launch date.
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