CT scans of BYD car parts

This was stated about the key: "Folded into the base is a mechanical backup key, a flat metal blade in a hinged housing."

I own a BYD: this is not true. The key is not hinged; rather, the entire mechanical key pulls out when a small clip is unlatched near the top of the assembly (you can see it in the CT). I assume the circular hinge-looking mechanism in the CT is just a by product of the plastic/metal weld process.

Nonetheless: very cool!

> The last company to vertically integrate a car from raw material to finished product at this scale was Ford. Today BYD’s system runs all the way from the lithium mine to the port.

Both BYD and Tesla claim to produce around 75% of their components. Ford is at around 25%.

Tesla is indeed smaller in scale (cars/year):

  BYD 4.6M
  Ford 4.4M
  Tesla 1.6M

The quick introduction into the supply chain is quite interesting. I see countless BYD units in Mexico, it’s curious how America has its own perception of international products, with the mass majority being informed only because of the nationally published news headlines, reality then becomes a completely different thing for each territory. Still a more in depth deconstruction of the companies operations and products would be quite the read (even better if there is no hidden ad for CT services). Still understanding the rapid expansion of the brand, specially in the overly competitive and unprofitable ev industry would be super insightful.

For those interested in EV drive-train tear-downs, Munroe Live has some wonderfully detailed videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LfDuyqmsts , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeZzEg3GIcg&list=PLkiDlGyJnp...

This looks like a stealth advertisement for their CT scanning business. There is nothing educational of value for the general public here.

The only reason you would do this is for competitive analysis and I assure you the other car companies have already analyzed these parts.

"You wouldn't CT scan a car!"

Actually, yes, we would: https://www.kmoser.com/ctscan/

Previous lumafield blog posts have been full of amazing graphics and knowledge.

But this one seems to be "state the obvious" and "recant political talking points with no new evidence".

> This prismatic cell is NOT a Blade, but it does share the same chemistry.

Kind of surprised that the part that is perhaps the most "BYD" of the entire car, isn't actually the same cell that the BYD Blade batteries use, which was what I was most excited about seeing :(

Nice.

Those are small parts, though. The interesting part is the E-axle. BYD builds a unit with an integrated motor, differential, axle, and wheel hubs. That, plus an electronics box and battery, is the power train. This simplifies vehicles considerably.

There are E-axle teardown videos. There's no big secret about how to do this. Copying this is hard for Detroit, because they have a huge investment in "engine plants". With this design, BYD doesn't need standalone engine plants.

Tesla ought to be doing this, but they're into performance, not cost. They want to put two or four motors in a car. BYD does make supercars, to show off, but their volume products are reasonably good cars with E-axles and lithium iron phosphate batteries, which work fine. (It's not clear that Tesla is even into car design at all any more, but that's another issue.)

Detroit ought to be doing this, but they insist on making electric cars that are modified gasoline cars. Ford has an electric Mustang, an electric F-150, and an electric Transit. Chrysler doesn't even make cars any more, just one minivan. GM has a good Bolt now, which they are killing to appease Trump.

> Fourteen pins in two parallel rows carry every signal this panel produces to the rest of the vehicle. Automotive connectors are among the most common failure points in modern cars: corrosion, fretting, and thermal cycling work on these joints over years of use. One connector failure on a module this integrated takes out mirrors, windows, locks, and child safety all at once.

Pack that shit full of silicone dielectric grease, check it every year or two, and it should be good for decades.

I want to buy a Chinese car and I am annoyed that my protectionist government won’t let me. Lowering transportation cost would be the most impactful thing to my budget.

All that serves to do is ensure the American car industry falls far behind by being coddled into a lack of competition.

Toyota showed the world the Toyota Production System. What Tesla, Kia/Hyundai, and Chinese EVs have shown American automakers is how much vertical integration can be an asset, especially with the lower part counts of electric vehicles.

The model where every part is contracted out to parts manufacturers is proving to be antiquated.

All you need to know is that BYD cars are good enough that the US had to effectively ban them.

CT scans of BYD car components. BYD is fully vertically integrated at a level unseen since early 20th-century Ford.

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