BYD dealer collapse shakes China’s EV market

[WORLD] A major Chinese car dealer, Qiancheng Holdings, which sold vehicles for electric vehicle giant BYD, has collapsed, leaving over 1,000 customers without warranty coverage or after-sales service. A government-owned outlet, at least 20 Qiancheng stores across four cities, including Jinan and Weifang, have been abandoned or closed. Car owners are reportedly forming rights-protection groups to address their grievances and demand solutions.

Qiancheng, which previously boasted annual sales of ¥3 billion (about $417 million) and employed 1,200 people, attributed its downfall to recent changes in BYD’s dealer policies, claiming these adjustments strained its cash flow. However, BYD countered that Qiancheng’s rapid and aggressive expansion—not corporate policy changes—caused the crisis. BYD has said it is offering some support to the troubled dealer, though it has not elaborated on the details.

This collapse shines a light on the growing challenges in China’s auto sector, particularly as electric vehicle competition intensifies. The broader market is grappling with a shift toward direct-to-consumer sales models and a slowdown in consumer spending, leaving traditional dealerships increasingly exposed to financial risks. While BYD operates some of its own stores, it still relies heavily on third-party dealers like Qiancheng across China.

Implications

For businesses, Qiancheng’s failure is a warning signal about the dangers of over-expansion in a tightening market. As automakers like BYD rethink their sales strategies and emphasize direct selling, third-party dealers must reassess their business models to stay relevant and financially sustainable. Companies that over-leverage in hopes of scaling rapidly may find themselves exposed when corporate partners or market conditions shift unexpectedly.

For consumers, the immediate concern is the loss of after-sales service, warranty coverage, and parts support—services they assumed were guaranteed. The rise of owner-organized “rights protection groups” suggests growing consumer activism in China, where buyers are less willing to absorb corporate failures quietly. This could lead to reputational damage not only for the local dealer but also for the automaker, even if they are technically not at fault.

From a public policy angle, this case highlights the need for clearer consumer protection mechanisms in China’s evolving EV sector. As the industry transitions and business models change, regulators may need to step in to ensure that consumers are not left stranded when dealerships collapse. Policies around warranty portability, escrow systems, or stronger manufacturer obligations could become focal points in future industry oversight.

What We Think

Qiancheng’s collapse is more than a single business failure—it’s a snapshot of the stress fractures emerging in China’s fast-evolving electric vehicle market. While BYD has been a star performer globally, its heavy reliance on independent dealers exposes it to reputational risks when partners falter. The friction between BYD’s narrative (blaming dealer mismanagement) and Qiancheng’s claims (blaming BYD policy) reveals deeper tensions within the supply chain.

For the EV sector to mature sustainably, both automakers and dealers will need to evolve beyond the old models of rapid expansion and assume shared responsibility for consumer guarantees. This event also signals a wider reckoning: as competition heats up and consumer expectations rise, the weakest links in the chain—whether dealer, supplier, or even automaker—will increasingly be tested.

Ultimately, companies like BYD must decide whether to double down on dealer networks or pivot more aggressively toward direct-to-consumer strategies. Either way, the path forward will demand tighter operational discipline and a sharper focus on long-term customer trust.