3 6 Ke·2024-04-19 01:55Blade Battery Design and Defects - The BYD Blade Battery has a design flaw in its direct cooling system, leading to corrosion of the cooling plate and refrigerant leakage, which causes cooling failure [1][3] - The cooling plate is made of aluminum and is prone to oxidation and corrosion due to water accumulation, especially in summer [3] - The corrosion issue is widespread, with multiple repair shops reporting similar problems across various BYD models [1][3][4] - The cooling plate is not treated with anti-corrosion measures, which exacerbates the problem [6] Customer Complaints and Quality Issues - From January 1 to April 17, 2024, there were 113 complaints related to "power battery failure" on the car quality website, covering almost all BYD models [2] - In the first quarter of 2024, BYD models accounted for 7 out of the top 10 most complained-about vehicles on the car quality website, with over 12,000 complaints [8] - Common complaints include issues with the cooling system, battery performance degradation, and service-related problems [8] Warranty and After-Sales Service Challenges - Many BYD owners face difficulties in claiming warranty services for battery-related issues, with reports of opaque rules and high repair costs [6] - Some owners have been denied battery replacements despite significant performance degradation, with the company citing normal battery data [6] - In some cases, owners are required to pay for battery replacements even after recalls, as the warranty period is not linked to the recall [7] Market Impact and Sales Performance - Despite the issues, BYD's Blade Battery has contributed to strong sales, with the Qin PLUS model becoming the best-selling A-segment car in 2023, selling 455,800 units [9] - BYD's total sales in 2023 exceeded 3.02 million vehicles, driven by the popularity of models equipped with the Blade Battery [9] - The Blade Battery was first introduced in 2020 and has been widely used in models like the Han, Tang EV, Qin PLUS EV, and Song PLUS EV [9] Potential Recall and Future Developments - BYD has previously recalled 62,591 Tang DM vehicles in 2022 due to battery-related safety concerns [10] - The company is reportedly working on a second-generation Blade Battery, which may abandon the direct cooling system in favor of a liquid cooling solution [10] - The second-generation Blade Battery is expected to address the cooling issues and improve temperature distribution within the battery pack [10] Industry Implications - As a leading player in the Chinese new energy vehicle market, BYD's handling of the Blade Battery issues will have significant implications for consumer trust and industry standards [11] - The company is urged to take responsibility for the potential safety risks and provide transparent solutions to affected customers [11]