BYD executive vice-president Stella Li has shared her candid thoughts on Ferrari's new all-electric Luce, a vehicle that has sparked considerable debate over its design. Speaking at BYD's headquarters in Shenzhen, China, Li acknowledged the mixed public reaction, stating, 'I agree a lot with people's comments on the internet.'
Design and Performance Comparison
The Ferrari Luce, the first electric model from the iconic Italian marque, was designed by former Apple designers Jony Ive and Marc Newson. Its unveiling has drawn comparisons to the Yangwang U9, BYD's high-performance electric supercar that holds the title of the world's fastest production car with a top speed of 308 mph. Li noted that the U9, particularly the Xtreme variant with 3,000 horsepower, excels in performance. 'Our engineers enjoy this challenge; every day they say, 'Are they better than me? No, the next day I will be better than them,'' she explained, highlighting the competitive spirit within BYD's research and development team.
Li's Personal Preference
When pressed for her true opinion, Li smiled and remarked, 'I cannot comment too much. I agree with a lot of people. I like it, but I prefer the U9 – the U9 is much better.' This statement underscores BYD's confidence in its own electric vehicle technology as it competes with established luxury brands like Ferrari, Aston Martin, Mercedes, and Audi.
Potential Entry into Formula One
To further enhance its global standing, BYD is exploring motorsports, with rumors of a possible Formula One entry. Li, who attended the Chinese Grand Prix in March, told The Independent, 'We are very interested in motorsports. We are talking with different people, trying to learn what this Formula One platform can carry and speak about BYD technology in the industry. We are trying to understand better on the subject, but we did not make any relation yet.' This cautious approach suggests BYD is evaluating the strategic benefits of entering F1, which could provide a platform to showcase its technological prowess.
