BYD, the world's biggest electric carmaker by sales, has apologised for an assembly mistake that meant some Great Tang electric SUVs had their front and rear wheel rims installed in reverse. An investigation traced the problem to a Hubei-based supplier, the company said on its official Weibo account.
An investigation traced the problem to a supplier in Hubei province, BYD said. The carmaker has fixed the system responsible, while the supplier has introduced additional visual inspections on the production line. The company did not disclose how many vehicles were involved.
The assembly error came to light after several owners complained online that the wider rear-wheel rims had been installed on their front tyres and the narrower front-wheel rims were put on the back. Some said they were concerned about the possibility of excessive tyre wear and potential safety risks while driving.
BYD said its own testing found that the affected vehicles' handling was not compromised and there was no safety risk. Owners of affected cars are eligible for replacement and the warranty period will be restarted, the company said.
The full-size Great Tang SUV, flagship of BYD's Dynasty lineup, is priced from 239,900 yuan ($52,506). The model has proved popular since its launch in July and saw sales of about 14,000 units in October, according to the company. It is not yet available in Australia.
While there were no safety incidents, the manufacturing slip-up touches on a sensitive topic for China's auto market. The industry faces growing regulatory scrutiny over quality and durability, including stricter standards on door handles, advanced driver-assistance technology and batteries.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The error touches on quality concerns in China's auto market, which faces tighter regulatory scrutiny over durability and safety.
- BYD is China's largest carmaker and the world's biggest electric vehicle seller; its production standards draw attention as it pushes into overseas markets.
- The Great Tang is a key model in BYD's move into higher-priced vehicles, making its reliability important for the company's brand strategy.
Background
BYD is China's biggest carmaker and the world's largest electric vehicle manufacturer by sales. The company has been expanding internationally, including into Australia, where it already sells several models. The Great Tang SUV, launched in July 2026, is the flagship of BYD's Dynasty series. Chinese automakers face increased regulatory attention on quality as they grow exports amid a domestic price war and a strengthening yuan.
Key Perspectives
BYD: Called the mistake an assembly error traced to a supplier in Hubei, said the system has been fixed and the supplier added extra inspections, stated the handling was not compromised and there was no safety risk, and offered replacement and a restarted warranty for affected owners.
Affected owners: Reported online that wider rear-wheel rims were on front tyres and narrower front rims were on back, expressing concern about excessive tyre wear and potential safety risks while driving.
What to Watch
- Whether BYD discloses the number of affected vehicles, which it has not yet done.
- Any further regulatory response from Chinese authorities on quality standards in the EV industry.
- How the incident affects BYD's planned entry of the Great Tang into markets such as Australia.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedBYD apologised over an assembly mistake that put the Great Tang’s front and rear wheel rims in reverse.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “BYD apologised for an assembly mistake that meant some of its Great Tang electric sport utility vehicles had their front and rear wheel rims installed in reverse.”
- SupportedThe wider rear-wheel rims were fitted to the front, and the narrower front-wheel rims to the back.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the wider rear-wheel rims had been installed on their front tires and the narrower front-wheel rims were put on the back.”
- SupportedBYD says there is no safety risk from the affected vehicles.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “BYD said its own testing found that the affected vehicles’ handling wasn’t compromised and there was no safety risk.”
- SupportedBYD is the world's biggest electric carmaker by sales.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “BYD is the world’s biggest electric carmaker by sales.”
- SupportedAn investigation traced the problem to a supplier in Hubei province, according to BYD.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “An investigation traced the problem to a Hubei-based supplier, BYD said in a statement on its official Weibo account.”
- SupportedBYD fixed the system responsible for the problem.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The carmaker has fixed the system responsible for the problem”
- SupportedBYD did not disclose how many vehicles were involved.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The automaker didn’t disclose how many vehicles were involved.”
- SupportedSeveral owners complained online about the reversed rims, with some concerned about excessive tyre wear and possible safety risks.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The assembly error came to light after several owners complained online that the wider rear-wheel rims had been installed on their front tires and the narrower front-wheel rims were put on the back. Some said they were concerned about the possibility of excessive wear on their tires, as well as potential safety risks while driving.”
- SupportedOwners of affected cars are eligible for replacement, and their warranty period will restart.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Owners of affected cars are eligible for replacement and the warranty period will be restarted , it said.”
- SupportedThe Great Tang is a full-size SUV and the flagship of BYD’s Dynasty lineup, priced from 239,900 yuan ($52,506).Brisbane Times - Latest News: “BYD’s full-size Great Tang SUV, the flagship of its Dynasty lineup is priced from 239,900 yuan ($52,506)”
- SupportedThe Great Tang sold about 14,000 units in October, according to BYD.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “in October saw sales reach about 14,000 units, according to the company.”
- SupportedThe supplier introduced additional visual inspections on the production line.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the supplier has introduced additional visual inspections on the production line”
