Hyperdrive
China’s EV Makers Are Facing a Reality Check in Southeast Asia
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On a recent Thursday morning in Hanoi, Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD Co. began the day with a showroom devoid of customers. Just a few kilometers away, a dealership for upstart Vietnamese EV maker VinFast Auto Ltd. was buzzing, with would-be buyers poring over new models.
“We see an average of 20 customers every day during weekdays,” said Tran Trung Hieu, a VinFast salesman in black suit and tie. “That can double or triple on a weekend.”