What do 10 million vehicles look like? When parked in formation, they would fill 10,000 football fields. Placed end-to-end, they would circle the Earth's equator. This milestone, was reached in 2024, by China's new energy vehicle(NEV) industry and BYD, almost simultaneously.
On November 14, 2024, China's annual production of NEVs exceeded 10 million units for the first time, making it the world’s first country to reach such a capacity.
Just four days later, BYD rolled out its 10 millionth NEV, with the keys handed to Feng Ji, producer of the viral game "Black Myth: Wukong." It seems almost predestined for this Guangdong-based automaker to become the global leader in NEVs.
Earlier, in the third quarter of 2024, BYD's revenue surpassed Tesla's for the first time, claiming the title of the world's leading NEV manufacturer.
That same year, BYD accelerated its overseas expansion, participating in major international exhibitions such as the Geneva Motor Show and Bangkok International Motor Show.
From the Yangwang U8, with its launch control and tank turn capabilities, to the Glory series promoting "electricity cheaper than gas," to the new seagull model priced under USD10,000, BYD continues to surprise us with innovation.
Behind this success lies a collaborative effort. Guangdong, BYD's home base, is China's leading province in NEV production.
In the first three quarters of 2024, China's NEV production reached 8.316 million units, with Guangdong accounting for 2.2795 million units, meaning that one out of every four NEVs in China, bears the "Made in Guangdong" label.
Guangdong's impressive fleet of NEVs sets sail, reaching more than a hundred countries and regions worldwide. The strength of Guangdong's automotive industry stems from its comprehensive supply chain. As a global hub for smart cars, Guangdong has a solid industrial foundation, with a complete supply chain for both vehicles and components. Industry leaders like BYD, GAC, and XPeng lead the way in vehicle manufacturing, while WeRide and Pony.ai develop the "brains" through autonomous driving technology, and companies like Aulton and EVE power the future with battery technology. Meanwhile, Hima Auto provides top-notch smart vehicle solutions. With upstream and downstream industries working in tandem, Guangdong's new energy sector continues its powerful momentum.
Today, Guangdong has developed an industrial cluster centered on Guangzhou and Shenzhen, supported by Dongguan, Foshan, and Huizhou, extending across the eastern, western, and northern regions of the province.
In the past, a traffic jam on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway could lead to a global shortage in the electronics manufacturing industry. Now, the Tonggang Avenue connecting Xiaomo International Logistics Port with Shenshan BYD Auto Industrial Park, can also affect NEV deliveries to the world, symbolizing the momentum shift in Guangdong province. From traditional industries to strategic emerging industries, Guangdong's new investment maintains rapid growth. According to the Guangdong Provincial Statistics Bureau, from January to November 2024, industrial investment grew by 6.9% within the province, accounting for an increased share of total investment to 37.1%, with advanced manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing investments growth of 10.8% and 10.4% respectively.
In 2025, we will witness the powerful collaboration among BYD, Huawei, and DJI in creating new autonomous vehicle models. We will also see GAC AION partnering with Pony.ai to deploy a thousand Robotaxis, and watch XPeng take the lead in offering advanced autonomous capabilities in their new models.
The innovative spirit emerging from Guangdong, will continue to surge forward, inspiring the world.
