BYD, Kia, & Volkswagen Show EV Revolution Is Still Going Strong

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The EV news today begins with the announcement by Volvo that its delightful EX30 is being withdrawn from the US market, due largely to official hostility to electric cars by the current administration. As disconcerting as that might be, it is just another example of America becoming irrelevant while the rest of the world continues its journey toward an electrified future.

BYD In Canada

BYD executive vice president Stella Li said recently the company is evaluating plans to build a factory in Canada. But wait, there’s more. Li also said BYD might be open to acquiring an established global automaker. The company saw a dramatic decline in domestic sales in the first two months of this year, but that was a temporary setback, apparently. It eyes are still firmly fixed on the EV future.

The government of Canada would like to see a joint venture between one or more Chinese companies and a Canadian manufacturer but Li said this week, “I don’t think a JV would work” for her company, according to Bloomberg.

With regard to acquiring a global automaker, Li was cautiously optimistic but noncommittal. “We’re open to every opportunity we have,” she said, but noted no deal is currently close to fruition. Instead, BYD is evaluating potential assets. “We’ll see what benefits us,” she said.

With no specific target on the table, people are free to speculate who might be in the cross hairs of BYD’s acquisition quest. One obvious candidate would be Stellantis, but others could include Mitsubishi or Nissan.

Despite challenges in its home market, BYD shows no sign of slowing down. It exported more cars than it sold domestically last year. It has a factory nearly ready to start production in Hungary and another planned in Turkey.

Some suggest that the new car market in Canada is too small to support a dedicated factory. For 50 years, the Canadian market has been dominated by GM, Ford, and Chrysler products made with Canadian parts but assembled in the US.

Cars From Canada

Here’s an interesting thing. Vehicles that meet Canadian standards also meet US standards, meaning a BYD made in Ontario could be registered legally in the US, assuming MAGA bloviating about Chinese cars sending data directly to the Chinese Communist Party headquarters can be overcome.

Think for a minute what competent cars made in Canada that sell for $10,000 less than anything the US manufacturers have to offer would do to the new car market in the US. Here’s a hint — remember what happened when the Yugo and the Hyundai Excel arrived in US showrooms?

Kia EV2 Price Announced

Across the Atlantic this week, Kia has just announced pricing in Europe for its EV2 — a budget friendly electric car that will not be sold in the US. In a press release, Kia said the base model EV2 Light equipped with a 42 kWh battery will start at €26,600, including VAT but excluding delivery charges. Range in the WLTP test cycle is said to be 317 km — about 200 miles under ideal conditions. It’s an entry level car at an entry level price, but won’t be available until October.

In the meantime, the Air and Wind model with that standard battery will be the first in showrooms. Starting in July, the GT-Line edition with a larger 61 kWh battery and a range of around 448 km will be available. At thar time, Air and Wind customers will be able to opt for the larger battery if they wish.

The base model is no strippo car, however. Given its relatively short range, it comes equipped with 16-inch steel wheels, parking sensors all round, a rear view camera, adaptive cruise control 2.0 with stop-and-go functionality, forward collision warning 2.0, active blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert with emergency braking, intelligent speed assist, active lane keeping assist, lane following assist 2.0, exit assist, driver attention warning, driver alert system, high beam assist, and multi-collision braking. In addition, Kia includes its “ccNC Lite” infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  The Light is strictly a four-seater with a fixed rear seat and is manufactured in Žilina, Slovakia.

“With the Kia EV2, we are expanding our extensive electric vehicle lineup with a highly important and attractive entry-level model,” says Thomas Djuren, COOof Kia Deutschland. “With its compact exterior, spacious and flexible interior, distinctive design, and technological features on par with higher vehicle classes, it will appeal to many existing Kia customers as well as new enthusiasts for electric driving and the Kia brand.”

Volkswagen ID. Cross

Volkswagen is also targeting frugal EV customers with its entry level ID. Cross that will go on sale this fall, starting at €28,000. For that price, the car is equipped with a 37 kWh battery and an 85 kW motor. Drivers may opt for a 52 kWh battery and either a 99 kW or 155 kW motor at extra cost. The base model is priced about €3000 more than the entry level version of the ID. Polo. The company offered no range estimates, but since the ID. Polo range is around 300 km and the ID. Cross is slightly taller, a range of less than 300 km is anticipated.

In a press release, Volkswagen said the ID. Cross “covers different usage profiles — from predominantly urban driving to regular journeys outside towns and cities. Modern assist systems support the driver and contribute to a high level of comfort. The ID. Cross is also future-proof when it comes to charging, enabling DC quick charging with up to 90 kW – with the larger battery up to 105 kW.”

The company says, “With its combination of compact dimensions, modern technologies and assist systems, high workmanship quality, plenty of space and an entry-level price of around 28,000 euros, the new ID. Cross offers an attractive price-performance ratio.”

Different Strokes For Different Folks

The Kia EV2 and Volkswagen ID. Cross starkly illustrate the difference between European driving and motoring in the US. Both are city cars with enough range to get around town and maybe go for a picnic in the country occasionally. If people want to drive to Villefranche sur Mer and back on a weekend jaunt, that is what the Facel Vega in the garage is for. It should also be pointed out that Europe offers excellent train service between most cities — something that doesn’t exist in the US.

Both Kia and Volkswagen are intimately familiar with the expectations and tastes of their European customers and build cars that cater to their needs. The fact that most Americans would turn up their noses at such cars is irrelevant. If they work for Europeans and are battery-powered, that is good news for the EV revolution and the Earth.