Reuters recently published a deep-dive into China’s emerging automakers and how they have surpassed global auto giants. The article explores how a mix of industrial policy, domestic competition, and government subsidies helped companies like BYD ride high into the EV future.

It’s not just cheap manufacturing.

Chinese automakers release good-enough vehicles quickly, with less emphasis on quality and with far fewer prototypes and a fail-fast philosophy mirroring Silicon Valley tech startups, industry executives and experts said. They lean more on simulations and artificial intelligence than real-world testing for safety and durability. They treat model launches more like the start than the end of development, adding frequent upgrades based on consumer feedback.

As the auto industry pivots toward electrification, China’s state-backed investment in the industry appears to have decisively shifted the center of gravity to within its borders. Read the full article here.