EV Daily | Tesla Faces Used Price Drop; BYD Expands in Europe; Xpeng's Luxury G6; VW Adjusts ID.4 Output

【Tesla】

Tesla's used car prices are declining rapidly, with a 7.26% decrease over the last year, nearly three times the market rate. Despite being a premium brand, its prices are nearing the CarGurus average. The Model 3 and Model Y have seen notable drops in used prices, partly due to brand distancing spurred by Elon Musk's controversies. Tesla's Autopilot faces criticism over safety issues, with instances of the system disengaging just before crashes. A camera versus lidar test emphasized lidar's advantages, raising questions about Tesla's tech choices. Additionally, Tesla is offering 0% APR loans for the Model Y in China, revealing demand challenges against competitors like Xiaomi's SU7, which has outpaced the Model 3 in sales.

【BYD】

BYD is expanding its EV lineup beyond affordable models with luxury sedans, SUVs, and sports cars. The company is aggressively entering the European market with new plants in Hungary and Turkey, and potentially in Germany. They launched a new 1,000-volt EV platform, enabling charging rates comparable to a gas station visit. This advancement, along with the new Han L and Tang L models, showcases BYD's technological edge in the EV industry.

【Xpeng】

Xpeng is releasing the upgraded G6 SUV with Turing AI and "bulletproof" EV batteries, positioning itself as a luxury contender.

【Others】

Volkswagen's ID.4 production is adjusting due to cautious US EV demand and tariff impacts. Despite a strong market start, production will align with lower US adoption rates. The ID.4 was the third best-selling EV in January after Tesla's Model Y and Model 3. Meanwhile, Audi plans job cuts and new EV investments in response to market shifts, launching models like the Q6 e-tron. Renault's 5 Turbo 3E electric rally car aims to captivate enthusiasts with its powerful specs and limited availability, though it's not slated for the US market. Kia's EV4 hatchback, part of its growing electric lineup, is expected in Europe but not the US, offering competitive pricing and range. Additionally, Toyota will supply batteries for Honda hybrids, marking a strategic shift in response to tariff challenges and EV demand.