Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says Chinese EV makers like BYD and Geely are outpacing US and European rivals with rapid innovation, strong supply chains and focus.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has stated that Chinese electric vehicle (EV) companies such as BYD, Geely, NIO and XPeng are outpacing American and European giants like Tesla, Ford, and Volkswagen — thanks to a fiercely competitive domestic market and government-backed infrastructure.
In a candid conversation with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Khosrowshahi told Business Insider that Chinese automakers are winning because they are laser-focused on EVs, building them from scratch rather than being held back by legacy combustion engine businesses.
“They’re ahead because they’re focused,” Khosrowshahi said, highlighting China’s streamlined supply chains, rapid innovation cycles, and large-scale affordable EV production.
China’s EV Surge
- BYD recently surpassed Tesla in global EV sales.
- NIO is expanding its battery-swapping network, giving it an edge in fast refueling solutions.
- XPeng and other players are pushing advancements in autonomous driving and cost efficiency.
According to Khosrowshahi, over 100 EV manufacturers in China are competing at city and provincial levels, creating a “bottom-up competition driven by a top-down government strategy.” Unlike the West, where political connections often shape industrial policy, China’s winners are decided by market performance in a brutal, innovation-driven environment.
Western Automakers Struggling to Catch Up
While Tesla remains dominant in the premium EV segment, Ford and GM are battling productivity and profitability issues in scaling their electric fleets. European automakers such as Volkswagen and BMW are investing heavily in electrification, but face regulatory and supply chain hurdles that slow progress.
Implications for India
Khosrowshahi’s remarks highlight the importance of focus, cost efficiency, and government support for emerging EV markets like India. With Chinese brands setting global benchmarks, Indian automakers must accelerate innovation, strengthen supply chains, and maintain affordability to compete on a global scale.
