Flood of Complaints Over BYD’s Free Smart Driving Features
Wave of Dissatisfaction Sweeps BYD Owners
Complaints about BYD’s decision to offer free smart driving features across most of its line-up have overwhelmed a prominent Chinese auto quality platform, with many owners claiming they were taken advantage of and overpaid for their cars.
Over 4,700 Complaints Filed in a Week
Between February 11-17, over 4,700 complaints were filed against BYD cars on 12365auto.com, a third-party auto consumer complaints platform. This is a significant increase compared to the 150 complaints filed the previous week and the roughly 500 complaints filed in January.
Top 10 Models by Complaints
BYD cars, including its best-selling Ocean and Dynasty series, dominated the top 10 list published by the platform, which ranks models by the number of complaints received. This suggests that many owners are unhappy with their BYD vehicles and are seeking redress.
Some Owners Feel Misled
One complainant, who owns a Seal 06 DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan, stated that they had repeatedly asked the salesperson about the possibility of a new model being launched in 2023. However, only a few weeks after purchasing the car, a new model was released with notable upgrades at the same price point. The owner is seeking free upgrades and compensation from the company.
BYD’s Response
The platform showed that BYD responded to the complaint, stating that the company had passed on the issue to the relevant department. However, BYD did not respond to a request for further comment.
Price War and Hyper Competition
The complaints are just one of the many consequences of the prolonged price war and hyper competition in the Chinese market. Automakers are slashing prices, offering free features or incentives, or rolling out new models at a pace faster than other countries. This has led to a surge in complaints and dissatisfaction among car owners.
A Familiar Scenario
This is not the first time that a major automaker has faced a backlash from its customers. Two years ago, U.S. automaker Tesla saw hundreds of owners assemble at its showrooms and distribution centers in China, seeking rebates and credits after the company cut prices.
Conclusion
The surge in complaints against BYD highlights the challenges faced by the company in meeting the demands of its customers. As the market continues to evolve and competition intensifies, it is crucial for automakers to prioritize customer satisfaction and ensure that their products meet the high expectations of consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What triggered the surge in complaints against BYD?
A: BYD’s decision to offer free smart driving features across most of its line-up.
Q: How many complaints were filed against BYD cars?
A: Over 4,700 complaints were filed between February 11-17 on 12365auto.com.
Q: Which BYD models were most affected?
A: The top 10 list published by the platform shows that BYD’s Ocean and Dynasty series were most affected.
Q: How did BYD respond to the complaints?
A: The company responded by stating that it had passed on the complaints to the relevant department. However, BYD did not respond to a request for further comment.