BYD executive labels UK EV subsidies ‘stupid' as Chinese carmaker expands in Europe
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
India's equity benchmarks to open flat as market weighs UK trade pact
(Reuters) -India's equity benchmarks are expected to open little changed on Friday as investors weigh the newly signed trade pact with Britain, which will cut tariffs of goods ranging from textiles to whisky and cars. The Gift Nifty futures were trading at 24,993.5 points as of 8:04 a.m. IST, indicating that the Nifty 50 will open near Thursday's close of 25,062.1. "Signing of the India-UK FTA, which is expected to boost bilateral trade by about $34 billion annually, is hugely significant in the present context when India is eager to reach a deal with the U.S. on trade and tariffs," said VK Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist at Geojit Investments. Shares of textiles, automakers, leather, footwear and other companies will be in focus as UK exports become duty-free. While the India-UK agreement should boost sentiment, the market is unlikely to see major upside until there is clarity on U.S. trade negotiations, analysts said. India is making "fantastic" progress in talks with Washington, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told Reuters on Thursday, but played down the importance of deadlines. Earlier this week, two Indian government sources said prospects for an interim deal before U.S. President Donald Trump's August 1 deadline had dimmed amid deadlock over tariff cuts on key agricultural and dairy products. STOCKS TO WATCH ** Bajaj Finance beat analysts' estimate for quarterly profit on Thursday, as healthy loan growth countered a decline in the non-bank lender's asset quality ** Indian Energy Exchange posts higher revenue and profit for the first quarter, driven by a nearly 15% increase in electricity volume. The stock tanked about 30% on Thursday on the regulator's market coupling norms ** SBI Life Insurance posts higher profit in June quarter, thanks to healthy premiums from policy renewals Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Insider
4 hours ago
- Business Insider
I test drove BYD's latest midsize SUV. It accelerates faster than a Porsche Cayenne Coupe S.
In April, BYD outsold Tesla in Europe for the first time. The Chinese EV giant has a key model in almost every segment, including the Sealion 7. Our reviewer was impressed by the midsize SUV's handling. BYD is on a roll, with a key model in nearly every segment: the Dolphin in compact hatchbacks, the Seal in sedans, the M6 in MPVs, and the Atto 3 in compact SUVs. The lineup reflects a strategy designed to match drivers' needs in nearly every stage of life. Last month, I borrowed a Sealion 7 and spent three days driving it around Singapore to get a feel for the car. The midsize SUV has two variants: Premium and AWD Performance. I test drove the higher-end AWD Performance model, which is priced at 219,000 yuan, or about $30,500. The Sealion 7 was first unveiled at the 2023 Guangzhou Auto Show and made its international debut at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. In the first half of 2025, BYD overtook Toyota to become Singapore's top-selling car brand. By April, it was also outselling Tesla in EV sales across Europe. On the outside After spending three days driving the car around Singapore, I can't find much to complain about the Sealion 7's design. Even the panel gaps and finish are solid — a big step up from how people used to view Chinese cars. Part of BYD's visual success comes down to its design team, led by Wolfgang Egger, who joined BYD in 2017. Egger was the designer behind some of Alfa Romeo's best-looking models. As the more premium Sealion variant, this one features red brake calipers — perhaps a subtle hint at how fast it can go. The less subtle way BYD is shouting about how fast its Sealion 7 AWD Performance is? A "4.5S" badge slapped on the back — signaling that it hits 62 mph from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds. The Porsche Cayenne Coupe S takes 4.7 seconds. Behind the wheel Since we're on the topic of performance — and given that this is the more powerful variant — the risk of losing my license on Singapore's heavily policed roads felt real. Speed limits here top out at just 90 km/h, or about 56 mph. Whenever a car crept up behind me, I was tempted to unleash all 523 bhp and 690 Nm of torque. And funnily enough, it felt like, or maybe I imagined, that every Tesla I passed was daring me to do it. I'll admit it: I may have caved once or twice. But after watching how fast the range dropped whenever I floored it, I decided to drive like a more responsible 40-something. It's worth highlighting how refined the Sealion 7 feels in everyday driving. On the expressway, it cruises comfortably at fast speeds with minimal wind or road noise. Tire noise is slightly noticeable, though — this variant runs on performance-oriented Michelin Pilot Sport EVs, which tend to be louder due to their tread pattern. Still, that hardly matters when you have the standard 12-speaker DynAudio sound system and double-glazed windows. Together, they ensured I could enjoy my playlist without interruption. For the curious: Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Sam Smith, John Mayer, Stereophonics, and Fuel were part of the mix. The 15.6-inch touchscreen rotates to portrait mode and controls everything from windows and climate to in-car karaoke. When karaoke is activated, the screen displays a QR code that passengers can scan — so drivers don't get distracted by the lyrics. Back in 2008, I reviewed a Chinese SUV at a time when the country was still new to exporting cars. I remember thinking its handling was underwhelming, even questioning how safe it would be in an emergency maneuver. Well, it's now 2025, and it's clear that ride and handling have improved. In this all-wheel-drive variant, I would be confident to take it down winding roads. Steering feedback is reassuring, and stopping power is just as strong. On the inside The seats are comfortable and well-cushioned, offering solid support for long drives. That said, I found the back seats were a bit low for my liking — a matter of personal preference, but worth keeping in mind for taller passengers. The driving position is excellent, with great outward and all-around visibility. All the key controls are within easy reach, and the steering wheel is perfectly sized for a confident grip. If there's one area that could be improved, it's the font size on the driver display. It's slightly too small, especially for those not quite ready for reading glasses, but not far off either. I also found the Driver Attention Warning overly sensitive — it popped up every time I yawned, displaying a coffee icon and suggesting I take a break, which became mildly irritating. I returned the keys to the BYD Sealion 7 feeling genuinely impressed. While I haven't tested the more affordable Premium variant, the extra 42,620 Chinese yuan for the AWD Performance model feels justified. It has stronger performance, larger wheels with better tires, and an all-wheel-drive system that adds both confidence and capability. I drove 223 miles on a full charge and returned the car with 7% battery remaining — about 20 miles of range. That falls slightly short of the brochure's quoted 460 km, or 286 miles, WLTP range, but in real-world conditions, it's still solid for everyday use.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump to land in Scotland on Friday for start of five-day private trip
Donald Trump will land in Scotland later on Friday as he begins his five-day private trip to the country. The US president is expected to arrive at Prestwick Airport in the evening, before heading over to his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire. He is then expected to head over to his Menie golf course in Aberdeenshire before opening up a new course dedicated to his Scottish mother, who grew up on the Isle of Lewis. He will leave the country at some point on Tuesday. His presence will result in a significant operation from Police Scotland and thousands of officers, who are expected to deal with mass protests around his golf courses and major Scottish cities. Mr Trump will be greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray when he lands, with the minister pledging to give the American leader a 'warm welcome'. He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his stay when the pair will discuss the UK-US trade deal. The US president will also meet with First Minister John Swinney. The SNP leader previously said he would have the opportunity to raise various issues with Mr Trump, including tariffs, Gaza and Ukraine. Speaking ahead of his arrival, Mr Swinney said the global attention the visit will receive provides Scotland with an opportunity to respectfully demonstrate the principles of freedom and justice for all, while also promoting Scotland's tourism sector and economic investment potential. He said: 'Scotland shares a strong friendship with the United States that goes back centuries. 'That partnership remains steadfast through economic, cultural and ancestral links – including of course, with the President himself. 'As we welcome the President of the United States, Scotland will be showcased on the world stage. 'This provides Scotland with a platform to make its voice heard on the issues that matter, including war and peace, justice and democracy. 'It also includes the millions of Americans – many of them potential future tourists or investors in Scotland – who will watch their elected President as he visits our country. 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world. 'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.' The SNP leader said Scotland is a 'proud democratic nation' that 'stands firm on the principles of equality and freedom for all, and a society that stands up for a fair and just world'. Ahead of protests expected around Scotland, he said people had a right to 'peaceful demonstration', adding that 'everyone has the democratic right to protect and express their views in a peaceful, and democratic manner'. 'That is right and proper,' he added. 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully. 'I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US President requires. 'This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'
