Summary of Key Points
This news article focuses on a down-to-earth press conference held by BYD at its headquarters in Pingshan, Shenzhen. The event lacked grandeur but was packed with substantial information: BYD showcased its intelligent driving system tested in urban villages (designed to handle real road conditions), its self-developed 4-nanometer automotive-grade chip called “Xuanji A3” (which breaks through supply chain bottlenecks), and a commitment to unlimited financial support for its intelligent driving features (challenging industry norms). The company also invited the singer Tengger to perform an catchy song to connect with the audience. Overall, the conference reflected BYD’s philosophy of “taking on the toughest challenges and making technology accessible to everyone,” while also sparking discussions about the limits of such support and the chip ecosystem.
Detailed Analysis
#### 1. Intelligent Driving Tests in Real-World Settings
While other brands choose spacious and well-organized city centers for their intelligent driving demonstrations (like taking shortcuts in an exam), BYD opted for the chaotic streets of Pingshan, where electric vehicles dart around, pedestrians suddenly appear, and trucks block non-motorized lanes—real-life scenarios that ordinary people face every day. Why? Systems tested in urban areas are more likely to perform well in various road conditions, both in cities and rural areas. This approach is akin to practicing martial arts in the mud rather than just in a gym; BYD aims to create tools essential for millions of people, not just luxury gadgets for a select few. Therefore, BYD confidently claims that intelligent driving will be standard across all its models, as this system has been proven to withstand everyday use.
#### 2. A Chip That Has Been in the Making for 24 Years
Many might think BYD only focuses on manufacturing cars and batteries, but it has been in the chip business for 24 years. It established a semiconductor company in 2002 and began developing IGBTs (core automotive chips) in 2005, taking 13 years to put them into use in vehicles. In 2022, it started mass-producing silicon carbide chips. Today, BYD is the only automaker that covers the entire chip manufacturing process, from design to packaging, with its chips used by 46 brands worldwide. The “Xuanji A3” chip featured at the conference is a 4-nanometer automotive-grade chip, which requires much higher reliability (more than 10 times that of mobile phone chips) and has a processing power of 2100 TOPS (fast data handling for complex intelligent driving scenarios). Wang Chuanfu stated that BYD will determine its own technological capabilities, without relying on companies like NVIDIA or Qualcomm. This decision was made after painful experiences in the past, such as being ignored by Danish audio company Danaher when they refused to cooperate.
#### 3. “I’ll Cover Any Issues”—The Promise Behind It
BYD offers a generous guarantee: free compensation for any issues with its intelligent driving system, with no upper limit on payouts, and no impact on future insurance premiums. This is more favorable than other brands’ intelligent driving insurance options (for example, Xpeng charges 239 yuan per year but increases premiums in case of an accident). However, there are concerns: users may misunderstand the scope of this coverage; legal responsibilities for L2-level autonomous driving are still unclear and depend on user agreements; and the cost of equipping cars with intelligent driving technology (about 60,000 yuan) needs to be justified by BYD’s financial performance.
#### 4. Inviting Tengger Instead of Celebrities
Instead of hiring popular celebrities for its press conference, BYD chose the singer Tengger to perform the song “Didi Dou De,” which brought laughter and a sense of warmth to the audience. Tengger’s image resonates with the laid-back, approachable nature of the Cantonese culture, aligning with BYD’s brand philosophy. This move effectively made technology more relatable to ordinary people—children in the car can sing along, and the intelligent driving system quietly handles complex road conditions, integrating technology into daily life. This is the ultimate goal of making technology accessible.
#### 5. BYD’s Chips Shake Up the Industry
The release of BYD’s chips has caused a stir in the industry:
- Supply Chain Reaction: NVIDIA claimed that BYD still uses its Hyperion platform, suggesting control over the chip ecosystem.
- Industry Criticisms: Some argue that BYD’s chips are not truly self-developed (since most companies use ARM architecture and rely on TSMC for manufacturing).
- Market Impact: Horizon Robotics’ stock price dropped 10% after BYD demonstrated the capabilities of its high-performance chips, indicating that such chips are now accessible to those with sufficient funds. However, BYD’s 24 years of expertise have helped it break this monopoly.
Conclusion
BYD’s press conference felt like a casual conversation between friends over a meal—no formalities, just down-to-earth discussions. Every move reflects its determination to overcome industry challenges: proving that intelligent driving doesn’t have to be expensive, that companies can handle issues on their own, and that people don’t have to accept limitations when it comes to access to technology. Although there are still unresolved issues (such as the scope of coverage and the chip ecosystem), BYD’s direction is clear: to make technology accessible, affordable, and enjoyable for everyone. This is truly the spirit of a “fatherly” approach to business.