Tesla Cybertruck "explodes" in front of Trump Hotel, and Shell Charge withdraws from the United States and Canada | Overseas Daily

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BYD Delivered 514,809 New Energy Vehicles in December, Challenging Tesla's Annual Sales

Key Points:

BYD, the largest new energy vehicle manufacturer in China, recently announced its record-breaking annual sales data. The company is challenging Tesla to become the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer. In 2024, BYD sold a total of 4,272,145 new energy vehicles (NEVs), with a year-on-year growth of 41.3%. This is the first time in the company's history that its annual vehicle sales exceeded 4 million. Particularly worth mentioning is that BYD's NEV sales in December reached a record 514,809 units.

In 2024, BYD sold a total of 4,250,370 passenger vehicles. Among them, the NEV sales of passenger vehicles in December reached 509,440 units, exceeding 500,000 units for the third consecutive month. BYD sold a total of 1,764,992 pure electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2024, accounting for 41.5% of the total passenger vehicle sales; at the same time, the sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) were 2,485,378 units, accounting for 58.5% of the total sales.

BYD's overseas sales of new energy passenger vehicles reached 57,154 units in December 2024. The annual export volume in 2024 was 417,204 units, with a year-on-year growth of 71.9%. In the commercial vehicle field, BYD's sales in December were 5,369 units, with a year-on-year growth of 520%; the cumulative sales for the whole year of 2024 were 21,775 units.

BYD surpassed Tesla's quarterly sales for the first time later in 2023 and now has the potential to surpass the annual sales of this American car manufacturer in 2024. Tesla will release its fourth-quarter sales data later this week, and then it will be revealed whether BYD has achieved this important milestone. Tesla sold approximately 1.29 million electric vehicles in the first three quarters of 2024. To exceed BYD's annual sales of 1.76 million, Tesla needs to sell at least 470,000 units in the fourth quarter. BYD has become the most powerful challenger to Tesla's dominant position in the electric vehicle market. This Chinese automaker was founded by Wang Chuanfu in 1995 and was originally a battery manufacturer. It has now rapidly gained market share in China and is actively expanding its global influence.

BYD Sealion (Source: ElectricCarsReport)

Opinions:

BYD's sales performance in 2024 is undoubtedly a milestone in the new energy vehicle industry, marking the rise of Chinese brands in the global electric vehicle market. This achievement not only reflects BYD's efforts in technological innovation and market expansion but also reflects the enhanced overall competitiveness of China's new energy vehicle industry. Firstly, BYD's sales surge shows its deep accumulation in electric vehicle technology, especially battery technology. As an automotive company transformed from a battery manufacturer, BYD has obvious advantages in battery life, safety, and cost control, which has won it competitiveness in the global market.

Secondly, BYD's success also benefits from its precise market positioning and product strategy. By providing a diverse product line, BYD can meet the needs of different consumer groups, thereby expanding its market share globally. Especially in the two major fields of pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, BYD has achieved significant market shares. Furthermore, BYD's global expansion strategy is also worthy of attention. By actively expanding the overseas market, BYD not only enhances the international influence of the brand but also provides more choices for global consumers, which is of positive significance for promoting the development of the global new energy vehicle industry. Finally, the competition between BYD and Tesla also indicates the change in the global electric vehicle market pattern. With the rise of Chinese brands such as BYD, the global electric vehicle market will become more diversified, and the competition will also become more intense. This is beneficial for promoting technological innovation, reducing costs, and improving consumer acceptance.

Tesla Cybertruck "Exploded" in Front of Trump Hotel, Police Investigating

Key Points:

Recently, an explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas has attracted widespread attention. According to reports, the incident occurred on Wednesday morning when a Tesla Cybertruck suddenly caught fire in the valet parking area of the hotel and then exploded. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has confirmed that the fire has been extinguished and is investigating the incident.

It is reported that before the explosion, a fire alarm was reported in the area. The police said that it is not yet clear whether there are any casualties. But the subsequent updated news said that someone in the vehicle was confirmed dead, and several others were injured. Due to the particularity of the explosion location, many people on social media speculate that this may be an attack, but the police have not confirmed this. Currently, the official is still considering this as a "potential terrorist act".

Eric Trump, the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, commented on the incident, referring to it as an "electric vehicle fire", and emphasizing the importance of the safety and well-being of guests and employees. At the same time, he expressed gratitude to the Las Vegas Fire Department and the local law enforcement for their rapid response and professionalism. Witnesses described that the Cybertruck lowered its body (the Cybertruck is equipped with an adaptive suspension system) before the explosion, then the vehicle began to smoke, and an explosion occurred within a few seconds. According to the released surveillance video, the explosion scene was like fireworks. Although electric vehicle batteries sometimes catch fire, statistics show that their fire rate is not higher than that of fuel vehicles.

In the past few months, there have also been several cases of Cybertruck catching fire after an accident, but if there are no other factors involved in this incident, it will be the first time that it catches fire without a collision. Recently, it has been reported that there are problems with the battery pack of the Tesla Cybertruck. Tesla calls it "battery cell depression" and needs to replace the battery packs of many Cybertrucks. However, there is currently no evidence that this problem is related to the fire or this explosion. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also commented on the incident. He said that the entire Tesla executive team is investigating the incident and will release an update after learning more information. Musk also claimed that after confirmation, the explosion was caused by a large fireworks and/or bomb carried in the rear of the vehicle and had nothing to do with the vehicle itself. All vehicle telemetry data showed normal at the time of the explosion.

Cybertruck Exploded at Trump Tower (Source: Electrek)

Opinions:

The explosion of the Tesla Cybertruck in front of the Trump Hotel has undoubtedly shocked the public greatly. This incident not only involves Tesla, a globally renowned electric vehicle brand, but also involves public safety and possible terrorist acts. From the current information, the cause of the explosion is not yet clear, but the public's concerns about the safety of electric vehicles may increase due to this incident. Firstly, the safety of electric vehicles has always been the focus of public attention. Although statistics show that the fire rate of electric vehicles is not higher than that of fuel vehicles, every accident will cause widespread public concern and discussion. Tesla, as a leading enterprise in the field of electric vehicles, its product safety is subject to strict scrutiny. This incident may have a certain impact on Tesla's brand image, especially in the absence of a clear cause of the accident. Secondly, if the explosion is indeed not related to the vehicle but is caused by external factors such as fireworks or bombs, then this incident may involve broader public safety issues. In the current context of the still severe global counter-terrorism situation, any possible terrorist acts need to be highly valued and responded to quickly. Finally, for Tesla and relevant departments, quickly identifying the cause of the accident and publicly and transparently releasing information are the keys to alleviating public panic and maintaining social stability. At the same time, it is also necessary to strengthen the research and improvement of electric vehicle safety technology to reduce the occurrence of similar incidents and ensure the safety of public life and property.

Shell Recharge Exits the US and Canadian Third-Party EV Charging Software Market

Key Points:

ShellRecharge recently announced that it will stop using its Shell Sky software in third-party commercial electric vehicle (EV) chargers in the United States and Canada. Shell Sky is a cloud-based EV charger management software, also known as a Charging Station Management System (CSMS). The software was originally developed by the software startup Greenlots, and Shell acquired Greenlots in 2019 and later renamed it Shell Recharge.

The Shell Sky software supports hardware independence and uses OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol), an open protocol for connecting and managing EV chargers. This means that chargers using Shell Sky software can be remotely or on-site migrated to other OCPP-compliant software providers. ShellRecharge will continue to provide services for third-party commercial fleet EV chargers until April 30, after which it will shut down the software service and require the removal of Shell Recharge Solutions stickers on the chargers.

Shell Recharge (Source: Electrek)

Opinions: 

Previously, Enel X Way JuiceBox EV chargers announced their closure with only a 9-day notice, while Shell provided a 90-day warning period. Shell said it will focus on investing in its own public charging network, which has more than 70,000 chargers worldwide. In an email obtained by Electrek, a Shell spokesperson wrote to a "valued customer" that the company is "concentrating our investments where we have a competitive advantage".

The email also mentioned that Shell has signed memorandums of understanding with three CSMS providers and is willing to introduce these companies to interested customers. ChargeLab announced in early December that it supports Shell Recharge customers in finding a new charging management system, having previously completed the migration of more than 1,400 JuiceBox EV chargers. Pulse Energy also provides migration support to help community EV charging stations using Shell Sky software. This decision marks ShellRecharge's exit from the North American EV charging software market and also reflects Shell's new strategy in the global EV charging network layout. With the rapid growth of the EV market, Shell's move may have an impact on third-party charging station operators and EV users, who need to find new software service providers to maintain their operations. At the same time, this also brings market opportunities for other CSMS providers, who can take this opportunity to attract more customers and expand their market share. ShellRecharge's decision will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the EV charging market in North America and even globally.

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Global Electric Vehicle Sales Expected to Grow by 30% in 2025

Electric Vehicle (Source: Inside EVs)

Automotive industry analysts at S&P Global Mobility believe that the outlook for electric vehicles in 2025 is positive. Despite some automakers scaling back their electric vehicle targets and the uncertainty of the $7,500 federal tax credit in the United States, electric vehicle sales are expected to increase significantly next year. The automotive research firm expects global pure electric vehicle sales to grow by 29.9% next year, with global sales in 2025 expected to reach 15.1 million units, up from an estimated 11.6 million units this year, and the market share to increase from 13.2% to 16.7%. In contrast, global light vehicle production is expected to decline by 0.4% to a total of 88.7 million units. Mark Fulthorpe, executive director of global light vehicle forecasts at S&P Global Mobility, said that as the automotive industry enters 2025, it faces uncertainties, especially the potential for widespread tariffs under President Trump's administration. With the global trade slowdown and the possibility of retaliatory measures, the production pattern in 2025 will change significantly.

Geely's Farizon SV Electric Commercial Vehicle Receives Euro NCAP Platinum Rating

The Farizon SV electric commercial vehicle produced by Farizon Auto, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geely Automobile, scored 85 points in the tests of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) and received a platinum-level safety award, making Farizon the highest-ranked Chinese electric commercial vehicle brand in the Euro NCAP ratings.

Euro NCAP, as one of the world's most strict and authoritative automotive crash test agencies, provides important reference for global consumers with its test results. Although the raised rating standards of Euro NCAP are a huge challenge for automakers, they ensure that new cars can provide the best safety protection for consumers. The Farizon SV is equipped with the latest safety technology, which helps the vehicle perform well in the Euro NCAP tests and demonstrates Farizon's user-centered brand concept.

Farizon SV Electric Commercial Vehicle (Source: ElectricCarsReport)

Since Euro NCAP expanded its rating scope to commercial vans in 2021, the organization has evaluated more than 95% of vans and commercial vehicles in the European market. In the AEB active braking function test, the Farizon SV achieved a high score rate of 95% in key ADAS safety areas such as stationary and low-speed driving. At the same time, the recognition and response to pedestrians and bicycles crossing and longitudinal driving conditions are also accurate and rapid, with a maximum longitudinal speed of 80 kilometers per hour. In addition, the Farizon SV received full marks in the Lane Support System (LSS) and Occupant Status Monitoring (OSM), fully demonstrating its active safety performance.

The Farizon SV is introduced to the UK market by Jameel Motors, a leading mobility solutions provider and a partner of top automotive brands seeking growth on a global platform. Jameel Motors has joined forces with Farizon Auto, the commercial vehicle division of Geely Holding Group, to distribute new energy commercial vehicles in the UK.

Andy Carroll, the UK regional manager of Jameel Motors Farizon Auto, explained: "The Farizon SV is designed and engineered to meet and even exceed European standards, including in safety. This achievement is a testament to the rigorous testing and development process carried out by the Farizon team. Today's and tomorrow's van users and fleets can choose the Farizon SV with confidence. It not only sets a new benchmark in safety but also several world-first advanced technologies, including its pure electric and wire-controlled platform, mean it offers more cargo space, greater range, and a more convenient and comfortable driving experience." Starting from the first half of 2025, the Farizon SV will be available in the UK in three