BYD faces challenges as it attempts to enter South Korea market

The Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has officially entered the South Korean market, aiming to compete with dominant local and international brands in the country.

As the first Chinese automaker attempting to vie in the South Korean market, the company has set up exhibitions to showcase its cutting-edge EV models, and hosted press conferences, where it has committed to focus on innovation, affordability, and customer satisfaction.

Long before its recent attempt at a full market entry, BYD has been cooperating with local companies to provide electric buses, forklifts, and other vehicle types.

"We are proud to be back in the South Korean market. We introduced our all-electric buses to the market in April 2018. So far these buses have been in service for nearly seven winters, accumulating over 500,000 kilometers in single-vehicle mileage, with a total fleet mileage exceeding 120 million kilometers. We believe our products have been well-tested in South Korea, and we welcome consumers to choose and use our products," said David Ding, General Manager of BYD Korea.

BYD is now gaining attention among South Korean consumers for its affordable prices, but many remain cautious of the newcomer.

"I think the price is quite competitive. But when it actually enters the market, I'm particularly interested in how it compares to Tesla, especially in terms of autonomous driving, since I currently drive a Tesla," said Ji Eun-Gil, a local auto enthusiast.

According to Ji, to compete with the dominant local and foreign brands in South Korea like Hyundai, Kia, and Tesla, it is not enough for BYD to provide quality vehicles - it must also establish connectivity services and other ancillary facilities.

"It is not just about product satisfaction, but rather about how many connectivity services can be built around the product within South Korea. That is the real challenge for them. If any of these factors are overlooked, the brand may gain some initial attention in the country, but probably would not sustain significant consumer interest," said Kwon Yong-Joo, a professor from the Department of Automotive and Transportation Design of Kookmin University.

As BYD takes its first steps in the South Korean automobile market, more global automakers are eyeing the country's growing EV market, where pricing, vehicle quality and customer satisfaction will help determine the winners.

BYD faces challenges as it attempts to enter South Korea market

Merchants in Hangzhou, the capital city of east China’s Zhejiang Province, have innovatively added new elements to scented sachets, which are traditionally worn during the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival.

As the festival approaches, shops on the famous Hefang Street, a lively ancient thoroughfare that has been the heart of Hangzhou for centuries, are filled with a dazzling array of cultural products, including sachets. There are traditional zongzi (sticky rice dumpling)-shaped designs, as well as plush toys and traditional Chinese-style pendants that appeal to younger generations.

"For me, a pleasant fragrance is all that matters. Some might have a hint of lavender, which I would prefer," said Wang Yunhan, a local citizen.

Fang Huichuntang, a time-honored traditional Chinese medicine brand, has launched plush-style scented sachets that combine cartoon images with Chinese medicinal herbs and innovative flavors. In the past month, this series accounted for 47 percent of total sachet sales at the street stores.

"We collected hundreds of medicinal herbs, selected those with pleasant aromas, and had the (traditional Chinese medicine) director help us make several formulas based on their efficacy. The resulting powdered formulas will have a more refreshing and pleasant aroma, appealing to consumers," said Gou Lulu, cultural and creative product director of Fang Huichuntang.

Many sachets incorporating traditional cultural elements are also selling well, among them one with Dunhuang-mural-inspired colors is particularly eye-catching.

"We found this color very eye-catching, and at the same time, we looked for photos of the costumes of the flying apsaras in Dunhuang on social media platforms to see if our color design could create a similar effect," said Jiang Lingxia, deputy general manager of Hangzhou Hu Qing Yu Tang, another traditional Chinese medicine brand that launched the new sachet.

In addition to purchasing ready-made products, primary and secondary schools in the city have recently organized hands-on activities, leading students to experience the traditional festival culture through the process of making sachets by hand.

Traditional scented sachets refreshed with creative elements for Dragon Boat Festival