Can I Buy a BYD Car in the United States?

China's major electric vehicle producer doesn't sell cars here yet.

Andy Stonehouse | 

Jul 24, 2024 | 3 min read

BYD

Chinese automotive manufacturer BYD gained recognition as it edged out Tesla as the world's largest maker of electric cars. Many see BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, as a more cost-conscious option for consumers, but an escalating trade battle between the United States and China may make it difficult for those BYD cars to hit highways here — especially as the U.S. domestic market for EVs has recently slowed.

BYD

BYD Is a Large EV-Making Force

China's BYD has become one of the world's largest manufacturers of electric vehicles, including buses, trains, and automobiles. In China and other markets, BYD sells electric cars that cost as little as the U.S. equivalent of $10,000, helping to build the brand's popularity.

With a mix of 1.6 million battery-electric cars (BEVs) and 1.4 million gasoline-electric cars (HEVs), BYD outsold Tesla by selling more than 3 million vehicles, earning the crown as the world's top producer of new-energy vehicles in 2023. Tesla sold 1.8 million EVs, narrowly retaining its lead in that category. BYD's 43% sales decline in the first quarter of 2024 allowed Tesla to regain its new energy sales leadership for now.

BYD

Even though BYD's car manufacturing takes place in mainland China, its largest sales market, it is a publicly traded entity with a growing U.S. footprint. Some 60% of its stocks are held by U.S. investors, including an almost 10% share once owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway group.

In 2011, BYD opened a North American subsidiary in Los Angeles to build electric municipal buses and heavy-duty trucks. That division has sold more than 700 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada.

BYD

BYD Hasn't Sold Any Passenger Cars in the U.S. Yet

BYD has said it has no plans to sell vehicles such as its Tesla-styled Han EV sedan in the states. However, BYD's U.S. website showcases the specs and attributes of two versions of the Han, much like any other automaker displays its new products, and BYD has occasionally made appearances at car shows in the U.S. over the last 15 years, suggesting it may intend to sell cars here.

In the meantime, BYD EVs have edged ever closer to the U.S. The company's $21,000 Dolphin Mini EV is already sold in Mexico, and BYD plans to build an EV car factory there, allowing easier access to the U.S. Vehicles manufactured there could benefit from provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

BYD

BYD's Path to U.S. Roads Remains Challenging

U.S. car buyers have already had experience with Chinese-made EVs, including the Polestar 2. However, new tariffs aimed at Chinese products make it more difficult for companies such as BYD to succeed in the U.S.

In May 2024, the federal government announced new tariffs on Chinese-made EVs, batteries, solar cells, medical equipment, and industrial metals. It has also said those tariffs could quadruple to a full 100% in August 2024 in an effort to protect U.S. EV makers.

Andy Stonehouse

Andy Stonehouse literally fell into the world of auto writing while working as a ski-town journalist, and has not looked back since. A childhood spent dealing with the eccentricities of a 1976 MG Midget has made any subsequent auto experience a more safe and reliable drive. He has been blessed with nearby mountain trails and snowy roads in Colorado to do TV-adventure-styled test drives on a weekly basis.