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CHINA: BYD Recall, China EV Boom and FAW Invests In Leapmotor

CHINA: BYD Recall, China EV Boom and FAW Invests In Leapmotor

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About this episode

BYD faces a significant recall of nearly 89,000 vehicles due to battery defects affecting range and power loss. Meanwhile, China's EV market continues to thrive, with record sales driven by a year-end buying frenzy. FAW's investment in LeapMotor signals a shift in EV alliances, while Ford's CEO shares insights on the competitive edge of Chinese EVs. The episode also covers advancements in steer-by-wire technology and highlights Xiaomi's Su7 as a top-rated EV among Chinese drivers, showcasing the growing satisfaction in the domestic EV market.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Company

BYD

"China has ordered BYD to recall 89,000 Chin plus DMI plug-in hybrids over battery defects..."

BYD is a big car company from China that makes electric cars and batteries. They are very popular for their electric vehicles.

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Term

plug-in hybrid

"China has ordered BYD to recall 89,000 Chin plus DMI plug-in hybrids over battery defects..."

A plug-in hybrid is a type of car that can use both electricity and gas. You can charge it like an electric car, but it also has a gas engine for longer trips.

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Part

battery pack

"Regulators say the problem is a battery pack consistency defect..."

A battery pack is a group of batteries that work together to store energy for electric cars. It's what helps the car run on electricity.

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Term

electric range

"In practice, what this means is that your pure electric range is a lot less than you've..."

Electric range is how far an electric car can go on one charge of its battery. It's important because it tells you how long you can drive before needing to recharge.

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Car

BYD Chin Plus

"...making it the company's best-selling model and the top A-segment plug-in hybrid. BYD says it will conduct remote software diagnostics..."

The BYD Chin Plus is a type of car that can run on electricity and gasoline. It's popular in China and is known for being a plug-in hybrid, which means you can charge it like an electric car.

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Term

remote software diagnostics

"...BYD says it will conduct remote software diagnostics on affected vehicles and replace the battery packs if necessary."

Remote software diagnostics mean that car companies can check your car's systems from far away, using the internet. This helps them find problems without you having to take the car to a shop.

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Term

battery-related fire

"Since October this year, automakers now report any battery-related fire within 24 hours and keep records of software and battery parameter changes."

A battery-related fire is when the battery in an electric vehicle catches fire. This can happen for different reasons, and now car companies must quickly tell the authorities if it happens.

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Term

fast-charge cycles

"...non-ignition, impact resistance, and post-fast-charge short-circuit tests after doing 300 fast-charge cycles."

Fast-charge cycles are when you charge an electric car's battery quickly, so it takes less time to fill up. Doing this many times can affect how well the battery works later on.

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Concept

new energy vehicle

"According to the China Passenger Car Association, or CPCA, passenger new energy vehicle wholesale sales in November were 1.72 million units."

New energy vehicles are cars that use electricity or other clean energy sources instead of just gasoline. They help reduce pollution and are better for the environment.

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Company

ArkFox

"Dongfeng and ArkFox at the same time, the scale of almost 14 million EVs in 11 months"

ArkFox is a car company in China that makes electric vehicles, which are cars powered by electricity instead of gasoline.

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Company

Dongfeng

"Dongfeng and ArkFox at the same time, the scale of almost 14 million EVs in 11 months"

Dongfeng is a big car company in China that makes many types of vehicles, including electric cars.

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Company

FAW

"Now, China's state-owned auto giant FAW is buying a 5% equity stake in the fast-growing EV maker LeapMotor in a move that could reshape EV alliances in China."

FAW is a large car company in China that makes many different kinds of vehicles, including electric cars.

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Company

LeapMotor

"Now, China's state-owned auto giant FAW is buying a 5% equity stake in the fast-growing EV maker LeapMotor in a move that could reshape EV alliances in China."

LeapMotor is a car company in China that makes electric vehicles and is growing quickly in the market.

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Concept

EV alliances

"Now, China's state-owned auto giant FAW is buying a 5% equity stake in the fast-growing EV maker LeapMotor in a move that could reshape EV alliances in China."

EV alliances are partnerships between car companies that make electric vehicles, helping them work together to improve their products and reach more customers.

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Concept

HongQi

"...their first joint project started in April for the HongQi brand from FAW."

HongQi is a luxury car brand in China that makes expensive and high-quality cars, often used by government officials.

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Brand

Ford

"Now, Ford's chief executive is commuting these days in Chinese cars and says one of them feels..."

Ford is a well-known car company from the United States that makes many types of vehicles, including cars and trucks.

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Term

EVs

"...in Chinese cars and says one of them feels like an Apple product. Jim Farley has revealed he personally uses Chinese EVs..."

EVs are cars that run on electricity instead of gas, which helps reduce pollution.

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Xiaomi Su7
S5A-0043 (CC BY 4.0)
Car

Xiaomi Su7

"...like the Xiaomi Su7 or Su7, to study how far rivals have advanced their software."

The Xiaomi Su7 is an electric car made by Xiaomi, which is known for its smart technology.

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Company

Xiaomi

"Farley said, and I quote, I was very impressed with Xiaomi."

Xiaomi is a Chinese company that makes electronics and has started making electric cars with smart technology.

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Porsche Taycan
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Taycan

"It can go 0-60 in three seconds at the touch of a button and it feels like a Porsche Taycan."

The Porsche Taycan is a fast electric car that can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour very quickly. It's known for its luxury features and high-tech gadgets.

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Landian E5 Plus
KitsuneDP (CC0)
Car

Landian E5 Plus

"Ceres has launched a third generation Landian E5 Plus. What is that? It's a mid-size SUV in China."

The Landian E5 Plus is a type of SUV made by a company called Ceres. It's designed to be environmentally friendly because it can use both electricity and gasoline.

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Term

hybrid system

"Power comes from their super-electric hybrid system, 1.5-liter engine at 70 kilowatts of power and an electric motor at 160 kilowatts."

A hybrid system is a type of engine that uses both gasoline and electricity to make the car run better and use less fuel.

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Term

adaptive suspension

"The new model also introduces intelligent electric hybrid all-time four-wheel drive and adaptive suspension as well in a 16 grand vehicle."

Adaptive suspension is a system in cars that changes how the car's suspension works while you drive, making it smoother or sportier depending on the situation.

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Landian E5
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Landian E5

"Examples of the third-generation Landian E5 begin immediately in China for both trims."

The Landian E5 is a new car model that uses a combination of a gasoline engine and electric power to improve efficiency.

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Term

unibody construction

"the test vehicle shows a double cab with four doors, smaller cargo bed, unibody construction that differs from traditional body on-frame."

Unibody construction is when a vehicle's body and frame are made as one piece. This can make the vehicle lighter and more efficient than older designs where the body and frame are separate.

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Concept

body-on-frame

"unibody construction that differs from traditional body on-frame."

Body-on-frame is an older way of building vehicles where the body sits on a separate frame. This is common in trucks and helps them be strong and good for off-roading.

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Term

double wishbone rear suspension

"It also uses a double wishbone rear suspension which signals a focus on comfort and on-road driving."

A double wishbone rear suspension is a system that helps the wheels move smoothly over bumps, improving comfort and handling while driving.

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Term

0-62 time

"...430 horsepower, 0-62 in 5.7 seconds, and South America will be the launch market next year..."

0-62 time is how long it takes a car to go from a complete stop to 62 miles per hour. It's a way to see how fast a car can speed up.

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Brand

ROX motor

"Hey, what do you know about ROX motor? Well, Polestones, otherwise known as ROX motor, is an automotive brand backed by a robot vacuum cleaner maker called Roborock."

ROX motor is a car brand that is supported by a company called Roborock, which makes robot vacuum cleaners. This shows how technology companies are getting into making cars.

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Land Rover Defender
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Land Rover Defender

"So if you are not going to buy a Land Rover Defender, but want a vehicle which looks a lot like a Land Rover Defender, you might get the ROX motor."

The Land Rover Defender is a tough SUV that can handle rough roads and off-road adventures. It's popular for its unique look and ability to go anywhere.

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Company

Mercedes-Benz

"International and joint venture contributors included Toyota and Mercedes-Benz China."

Mercedes-Benz is a luxury car brand that makes high-end vehicles known for their comfort and performance.

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Company

Toyota

"International and joint venture contributors included Toyota and Mercedes-Benz China."

Toyota is a well-known car company that makes many popular vehicles, including hybrids like the Prius.

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Neo-189
Florian Fèvre (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Neo-189

"There's the IM-L6, Neo-189, Tesla Cybertruck famously."

The Neo-189 is an electric car made by a Chinese company called NIO, known for its modern technology.

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Infiniti Q50
Tino Rossini (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Infiniti Q50

"...steer by wire is still pretty niche. The Infiniti Q50 has one. There's the IM-L6, Neo-189, Tesla Cybert..."

The Infiniti Q50 is a fancy car that offers a smooth ride and lots of high-tech features. One cool thing about it is that it uses electronic controls instead of regular steering, which makes it different from most cars.

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Tesla Cybertruck
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Tesla Cybertruck

"There's the IM-L6, Neo-189, Tesla Cybertruck famously."

The Tesla Cybertruck is an electric truck with a very unusual look and lots of high-tech features.

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5 cars featured

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