I Went to China… Now I Understand
#China #BYD #Beijing
I travelled to China to find out why it’s become the world’s biggest EV powerhouse — and what I found completely changed how I see the global car industry.
Over six days I visited BYD’s R&D centres, toured one of its vast production facilities, tried out its jaw-dropping 5-minute flash charging tech, and attended the 2026 Beijing Auto Show.
From the Yangwang U8 that can literally float, to the 1,300hp Yangwang U9 supercar and the luxurious Denza Z9 GT — this wasn’t just another car launch, it was a first-hand look at how fast China’s auto industry is moving.
More importantly, it helped answer a bigger question: why is China moving so quickly, and can Europe keep up?
Come take a look at the world’s fastest-growing car industry with me, and hear my thoughts on what it all means for drivers, manufacturers, and the future of motoring.
I’d love to know what you think — are Chinese car brands genuinely changing the game, or do European manufacturers still hold the upper hand? Let me know in the comments.
Filmed in China with BYD. Flights and accommodation were provided by BYD. As always, all opinions are my own.
🎧 Podcast: Driver’s Republic Podcast link https://open.spotify.com/show/7IkSuTawDH1q3ML08zXRE2?si=10c5b08316ba470a
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chapters;
00:00 Why I Came to China
01:30 First Impressions of China’s Car Industry
02:03 Life in China & Why This Trip Matters
03:09 BYD’s 5-Minute Charging Breakthrough
04:59 Testing the World’s Fastest EV Charger
05:29 The Truth Behind the Charging Demo
06:36 Beijing Motor Show 2026 – It’s Huge
07:08 Cars Europe Isn’t Getting
07:55 Denza’s 1,000hp Convertible
08:26 Why China’s EV Industry Feels Years Ahead
09:38 Have Chinese Cars Overtaken Europe?
10:15 Inside BYD’s Mega Factory
11:25 The car that can float
13:05 Extreme Engineering for Real Emergencies
14:11 Denza Z9 GT – Germany Should Be Worried?
14:58 Technology That Makes Parking Easy
15:56 Chinese Cars Aren’t Knock-Offs Anymore
17:02 Driving BYD’s 1,300hp Supercar
18:00 Hybrid 4x4s Built for Real Work
18:36 The Future of BYD in Europe
20:19 Why China Builds Cars So Cheaply
21:19 Can Europe Catch Up?
22:21 My Biggest Takeaway from China
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