Shut out from the US, the world’s largest EV maker still thinks it can stay on top

The world’s largest electric vehicle maker is locked out of its biggest potential overseas market.

But BYD – the Chinese EV behemoth – says barriers restricting it and other Chinese carmakers from American consumers won’t stop it from maintaining that top spot in an industry transforming how people drive.

“Without the US market, BYD still will be the leading position,” Stella Li, the company’s executive vice president, told CNN during an interview on the sidelines of the Beijing auto show earlier this week.

Washington has effectively barred Chinese carmakers from importing to the US market, citing concerns around national security and the need to protect American carmakers from rivals that have benefited from the Chinese government’s long-term support for its EV sector.

Those US restrictions are expected to be in the spotlight next month when Chinese leader Xi Jinping hosts President Donald Trump in Beijing.