In 2011, Elon Musk dismissed BYD. In 2024, they outsold him.
The Chinese auto industry isn’t coming. It’s already here—quietly, confidently, and with enough innovation to make Detroit sweat.
🛻 Once written off as ‘econobox’ knock-offs, Chinese EVs are now exporting more units than Japan and Germany combined.
🚘 They’ve got the looks (just ask anyone who’s seen the BYD Seal or Xiaomi SU7), the tech (250 miles of range in a 5-minute charge), and the price tag (Model Y vibes, $10K less).
💡 And they’re not just building cars—they’re building experiences: ‣ AI-powered personalization ‣ Deep integrations with mobile ecosystems ‣ Augmented reality showrooms ‣ Even amphibious SUVs with drone launchers
But maybe most importantly, they’re showing up without legacy baggage. They can build new brand identities from scratch—something most Western automakers can’t.
So… what now?
In my article for The Drum, I explore:
Why Chinese brands like BYD, NIO, and Geely are poised to disrupt the U.S. market
What Western brands still haven’t learned from Japan and Korea’s rise
Why technology, not tariffs, will define the next big auto shakeup
How storytelling, cultural adaptation, and smart partnerships (Qualcomm, anyone?) could make or break the American debut
It’s not just another EV story. It’s a fresh example of how to turn a brand from derivative to disruptive—and how the next big threat to traditional players might arrive with a smile, a screen, and a built-in drone.
Read the full piece on The Drum
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Originally published in the For Breakfast newsletter on LinkedIn, June 4, 2025. Full video episodes are on YouTube at @HaveItForBreakFast.