Latest news with #KetsuZhang
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
BYD India faces roadblocks in India expansion amid political tensions
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD Co. is facing mounting hurdles in its attempts to expand operations in India, with lingering political tensions and regulatory bottlenecks stalling key business activities, including executive travel and local investments, Bloomberg reports. Since the deadly 2020 border clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers along the Himalayan frontier, relations between the two nations have soured. As a result, Chinese firms such as BYD have struggled to secure visas and work permits for senior personnel. Ketsu Zhang, Managing Director of BYD India, has reportedly been unable to obtain a work permit to return to the company's base in Chennai. Zhang has been operating from Tokyo, managing BYD's interests in Asia, including India, according to sources familiar with the matter. With direct operations in India hampered, BYD has resorted to holding board meetings and key business discussions in neutral territories such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, and even Singapore, sources said. A growing demand in the Indian market Despite the logistical challenges, BYD's vehicles have seen growing traction among Indian buyers. Sales in the first half of 2025 are already nearing the total for all of 2024. However, the company's expansion is limited by its inability to invest locally. The Indian government earlier rejected BYD's $1 billion proposal to establish a joint venture manufacturing plant in India, citing national security concerns. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated earlier this year that the Indian government remains cautious about Chinese investments in sensitive sectors, including automotive manufacturing. This stance leaves BYD ineligible for any import tariff concessions tied to local production. Currently, BYD operates an assembly facility in Chennai with an annual capacity of 10,000 to 15,000 units. However, the bulk of its vehicles are imported — making them subject to steep tariffs that can double their cost — and are constrained by local certification and volume restrictions. Earlier this year, an Indian delegation invited to a major BYD dealer conference in Shenzhen had to be reduced after most participants failed to secure travel visas. BYD India declined to comment on these developments. Tesla's foray in India The contrast with US-based Tesla is striking. Tesla recently launched physical showrooms in India and began accepting orders for its Model Y SUV, despite also lacking local manufacturing. Chief Executive Elon Musk met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year, indicating a smoother diplomatic engagement. Tesla faces import duties as high as 110 per cent but has thus far avoided the regulatory and political entanglements stalling BYD's progress. India recently resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals, signalling a slight thaw in relations. Still, it remains unclear whether broader business-related visa restrictions will be eased or if BYD will be granted a green light to fully tap into one of the world's fastest-growing EV markets. For BYD — which aims to sell 5.5 million vehicles globally this year amid cooling domestic demand in China — access to India remains critical. Yet without local manufacturing capabilities and full market entry, the company faces significant limitations in its South Asian growth strategy.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
BYD runs India business remotely amid Indo-China tensions
Chinese car manufacturer BYD , which has already made its space in the Indian electric passenger vehicle market, is forging ahead with its attempts to expand in the country despite roadblocks from the government that are preventing the EV major from conducting key business dealings here. Like many other Chinese companies, BYD has been unable to obtain visas for its executives owing to the geopolitical tensions between India and China since 2020. Bloomberg reported that this situation has seen the EV giant resorting to holding board meetings and high-level business interactions in Colombo in Sri Lanka, Kathmandu in Nepal, and even as far away as Singapore. The report stated that Ketsu Zhang, BYD's managing director for India, has been unable to obtain a work permit since he left the automaker's local base in Chennai. This forced him to work from BYD's headquarters in Shenzhen in 2021 before moving to Tokyo this year. Such situations have created roadblocks for the OEM, claims the report, citing the reason that on-the-ground presence is particularly important for manufacturers, given the need for quick decision making, addressing productivity issues and establishing community ties. Despite gaining popularity, BYD faces operational challenges in India BYD has proved popular with the Indian drivers, as the company's sales numbers in the country in the first half of this year nearly touched the total units sold by the OEM in 2024. However, this has not removed the operational challenges the company has been facing in India. The report has stated that Indian officials have been clear that they won't welcome investment from the carmaker. It also stated that Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said earlier in 2025 that it's a no to BYD due to caution around the nation's strategic interests. India has already rejected BYD's $1 billion plan to build a plant in partnership with a local company. This leaves the Chinese auto company unable to qualify for reduced tariffs on imported EVs in exchange for establishing a substantial manufacturing presence in India, the report further stated. This freeze contrasts with the experience of Tesla. The US auto major's CEO, Elon Musk, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US earlier this year. Tesla opened its first showrooms in India on July 15, with deliveries set to begin as early as August 2025. Interestingly, Tesla doesn't have any immediate plans to establish local manufacturing, meaning it faces import taxes of as much as 110 per cent for fully-assembled vehicles. Check out Upcoming EV Cars in India, Upcoming EV Bikes in India. First Published Date:
Business Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Times
BYD runs India remotely as China tensions shut out top brass
[NEW DELHI] China's BYD is forging ahead with its attempts to expand in India despite roadblocks from the government that are preventing the electric vehicle maker from conducting key business dealings there. Like most Chinese companies, BYD has been unable to obtain visas for executives after a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers along a disputed Himalayan border in 2020 sparked a major deterioration in political ties. That's seen the EV giant resort to holding board meetings and high-level business interactions in Colombo in Sri Lanka and Kathmandu in Nepal, and even as far away as Singapore, according to sources familiar with the matter. Ketsu Zhang, BYD's managing director for India, has been unable to obtain a work permit since he left the EV maker's local base in Chennai, despite government efforts to facilitate his travel, said the sources, who asked not to be identified because they're not authorised to speak publicly. Zhang worked from the carmaker's headquarters in Shenzhen in 2021 before moving to Tokyo this year, they said. From Japan, he oversees Asian markets including India, the sources said. An on-the-ground presence is particularly important for manufacturers, given the need for quick decision making, addressing productivity issues and establishing community ties. Cold shoulder The cold shoulder is mutual. As recently as March, travel restrictions were still being wielded in the political spat. That month, an Indian contingent wanting to visit a major meeting of BYD car dealers in Shenzhen had to be scaled down after the majority of participants, including the company's employees based in India, were unable to obtain visas, a source familiar with the matter said. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up A representative for BYD in India declined to comment. Despite the operational difficulties, BYD has proved popular with Indian drivers, sales in the first half of this year are nearly touching the total units sold in 2024. Indian officials have been clear that they will not welcome investment from the carmaker – Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said earlier this year that it's a 'no' to BYD due to caution around the nation's strategic interests. India has already rejected BYD's US$1 billion plan to build a plant in partnership with a local company. This leaves the Chinese firm unable to qualify for reduced tariffs on imported EVs in exchange for establishing a substantial manufacturing presence in India. The freeze contrasts with the experience of Tesla Its chief executive officer Elon Musk met with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US earlier this year. The US carmaker opened its first showrooms in India this month, with deliveries set to begin as early as August. Tesla does not have plans to establish local manufacturing, meaning it faces import taxes of as much as 110 per cent for fully-assembled vehicles. Expanding overseas is critical for BYD, which risks missing its target to sell 5.5 million cars this year as demand in China stagnates and it draws the ire of Beijing following rounds of heavy price discounting. But without the ability to invest in manufacturing in India, BYD relies on its assembly plant in the southern city of Chennai, which has an annual capacity of 10,000 to 15,000 units, to meet Indian demand. Hefty duties The company also imports most cars it sells in India, but hefty duties, aimed at shielding domestic firms, effectively double the cost of a vehicle and India restricts volumes unless a model has received a local roadworthiness certificate. While tensions between China and India are thawing, it's unclear whether curbs on professional visas will be lifted or if BYD will ever be welcomed with open arms. Still, there are tentative signs of progress. Earlier this month, India allowed Chinese nationals to apply for tourist visas again. BLOOMBERG
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
BYD runs India remotely as tensions with China shut out top brass
China's BYD Co. is forging ahead with its attempts to expand in India despite roadblocks from the government that are preventing the electric vehicle maker from conducting key business dealings there. Like most Chinese companies, BYD has been unable to obtain visas for executives after a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers along a Himalayan border in 2020 sparked a major deterioration in political ties. That's seen the EV giant resort to holding board meetings and high-level business interactions in Colombo in Sri Lanka and Kathmandu in Nepal, and even as far away as Singapore, according to people familiar with the matter. Ketsu Zhang, BYD's managing director for India, has been unable to obtain a work permit since he left the EV maker's local base in Chennai, despite government efforts to facilitate his travel, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they're not authorised to speak publicly. Zhang worked from the carmaker's headquarters in Shenzhen in 2021 before moving to Tokyo this year, they said. From Japan, he oversees Asian markets including India, the people said. An on-the-ground presence is particularly important for manufacturers, given the need for quick decision making, addressing productivity issues and establishing community ties. Cold Shoulder The cold shoulder is mutual. As recently as March, travel restrictions were still being wielded in the political spat. That month, an Indian contingent wanting to visit a major meeting of BYD car dealers in Shenzhen had to be scaled down after the majority of participants, including the company's employees based in India, were unable to obtain visas, a person familiar with the matter said. A representative for BYD in India declined to comment. Despite the operational difficulties, BYD has proved popular with Indian drivers — sales in the first half of this year are nearly touching the total units sold in 2024. Indian officials have been clear they won't welcome investment from the carmaker — Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said earlier this year that it's a 'no' to BYD due to caution around the nation's strategic interests. India has already rejected BYD's $1 billion plan to build a plant in partnership with a local company. This leaves the Chinese firm unable to qualify for reduced tariffs on imported EVs in exchange for establishing a substantial manufacturing presence in India. The freeze contrasts with the experience of Tesla Inc. Its Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk met with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US earlier this year. The US carmaker opened its first showrooms in India this month, with deliveries set to begin as early as August. Tesla doesn't have plans to establish local manufacturing, meaning it faces import taxes of as much as 110 per cent for fully-assembled vehicles. Expanding overseas is critical for BYD, which risks missing its target to sell 5.5 million cars this year as demand in China stagnates and it draws the ire of Beijing following rounds of heavy price discounting. But without the ability to invest in manufacturing in India, BYD relies on its assembly plant in the southern city of Chennai, which has annual capacity of 10,000 to 15,000 units, to meet Indian demand. The company also imports most cars it sells in India, but hefty duties — aimed at shielding domestic firms — effectively double the cost of a vehicle and India restricts volumes unless a model has received a local roadworthiness certificate. While tensions between China and India are thawing, it's unclear whether curbs on professional visas will be lifted or if BYD will ever be welcomed with open arms. Still, there are tentative signs of progress. Earlier this month, India allowed Chinese nationals to apply for tourist visas again.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
BYD runs India remotely as China tensions shut out top brass
China's BYD Co. is forging ahead with its attempts to expand in India despite roadblocks from the government that are preventing the electric vehicle maker from conducting key business dealings there. Like most Chinese companies, BYD has been unable to obtain visas for executives after a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers along a disputed Himalayan border in 2020 sparked a major deterioration in political ties. That's seen the EV giant resort to holding board meetings and high-level business interactions in Colombo in Sri Lanka and Kathmandu in Nepal, and even as far away as Singapore, according to people familiar with the matter. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Healthcare Design Thinking CXO healthcare Management PGDM Data Analytics Technology MCA Public Policy Degree Data Science MBA Operations Management Finance Others Leadership Cybersecurity Product Management Digital Marketing Artificial Intelligence Data Science Project Management others Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details Ketsu Zhang, BYD's managing director for India, has been unable to obtain a work permit since he left the EV maker's local base in Chennai, despite government efforts to facilitate his travel, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they're not authorized to speak publicly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kalimanggis: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Zhang worked from the carmaker's headquarters in Shenzhen in 2021 before moving to Tokyo this year, they said. From Japan, he oversees Asian markets including India, the people said. Also Read: Chinese carmaker BYD launches smartphone-car connectivity feature Live Events An on-the-ground presence is particularly important for manufacturers, given the need for quick decision making, addressing productivity issues and establishing community ties. Cold Shoulder The cold shoulder is mutual. As recently as March, travel restrictions were still being wielded in the political spat. That month, an Indian contingent wanting to visit a major meeting of BYD car dealers in Shenzhen had to be scaled down after the majority of participants, including the company's employees based in India, were unable to obtain visas, a person familiar with the matter said. A representative for BYD in India declined to comment. Despite the operational difficulties, BYD has proved popular with Indian drivers — sales in the first half of this year are nearly touching the total units sold in 2024. Also Read: Tesla's long-awaited India debut bets on luxury vehicle buyers Indian officials have been clear they won't welcome investment from the carmaker — Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said earlier this year that it's a 'no' to BYD due to caution around the nation's strategic interests. India has already rejected BYD's $1 billion plan to build a plant in partnership with a local company. This leaves the Chinese firm unable to qualify for reduced tariffs on imported EVs in exchange for establishing a substantial manufacturing presence in India. The freeze contrasts with the experience of Tesla Inc. Its Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk met with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the US earlier this year. The US carmaker opened its first showrooms in India this month, with deliveries set to begin as early as August. Tesla doesn't have plans to establish local manufacturing, meaning it faces import taxes of as much as 110% for fully-assembled vehicles. Expanding overseas is critical for BYD, which risks missing its target to sell 5.5 million cars this year as demand in China stagnates and it draws the ire of Beijing following rounds of heavy price discounting. But without the ability to invest in manufacturing in India, BYD relies on its assembly plant in the southern city of Chennai, which has annual capacity of 10,000 to 15,000 units, to meet Indian demand. Hefty Duties The company also imports most cars it sells in India, but hefty duties — aimed at shielding domestic firms — effectively double the cost of a vehicle and India restricts volumes unless a model has received a local roadworthiness certificate. While tensions between China and India are thawing, it's unclear whether curbs on professional visas will be lifted or if BYD will ever be welcomed with open arms. Still, there are tentative signs of progress. Earlier this month, India allowed Chinese nationals to apply for tourist visas again.
