The technology and ambition driving BYD's rapid rise

Inside BYD's China Headquarters

- BY CHRIS VAN HOVEN

Shenzhen is quiet. Not in the way you'd expect from a city of around 18 million people. The streets hum with activity, but there's something missing. It took me a few hours to realize what it was: engine noise. When nearly every vehicle on the road runs on electricity, the absence of combustion engines becomes obvious. The city breathes differently.

I was part of a 40-strong delegation of Philippine automotive journalists invited to see BYD's home turf. Over five days, we'd take four flights, cross from Hong Kong into Mainland China by bus, and cover enough ground to understand how a company that once made batteries for mobile phones became the world's leading new energy vehicle manufacturer.

Shenzhen headquarters

BYD's head office lobby displayed the Yangwang U8 and U9. The U9's track-focused version, the U9X, is considered to be the fastest production car in the world, with a speed record of 496.22 kph, set at ATP in Germany. Word got around that we'd be able to experience it in its full glory in the coming days. I could barely contain my excitement.

Inside, we got a walkthrough of BYD's history, technology evolution, and the rise of their NEV lineup. But the most memorable moment came during the live demonstration of the Blade Battery's safety.

BYD set up a nail penetration test, running it side by side with a standard NCM (Nickle Cobalt Manganese) battery. When the nail punctured through, the NCM exploded loudly as it combusted into a massive ball of fire. The same was done with the Blade Battery, except this time, no drama, no fire, no thermal runaway. Just a hole.