Chinese company BYD sold more electric cars than Tesla in the last three months of 2023. They sold a record-breaking 526,000 battery-only vehicles, which is more than Tesla for the first time. However, Tesla still sold more electric cars overall for the whole year. In the last three months of 2023, Tesla sold a record 484,500 electric cars, which was more than what experts expected. Tesla’s sales went up by 20% compared to the same time in 2022, but they didn’t reach their goal of selling two million cars in 2023. BYD’s success shows how competitive the electric car market is and the challenges Tesla faces in staying on top.

BYD, which is based in Shenzhen, sold over 3 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2023. This includes battery-only cars and hybrids. Almost 1.6 million of those were battery-only cars. BYD’s success is because they make their own batteries, which helps them save money. Other companies have to buy batteries from other manufacturers. This gives BYD an advantage over their competitors. In December 2023, they were able to lower their prices a lot because of their battery business, and this led to a 70% increase in sales.

BYD was started in 1995 by Wang Chuanfu and his cousin. They started by making rechargeable batteries and later bought a car company that was struggling. Since 2008, Warren Buffett’s company Berkshire Hathaway has been a shareholder in BYD. Their success in the electric car industry shows how good they are at making batteries and being adaptable.

The competition between BYD and Tesla shows how much people want electric cars all over the world. As the market gets more competitive, it will be hard for Tesla to be the leader again. BYD’s success shows how tough it is for Tesla to stay on top. But Tesla is still a big player in the electric car market because of their strong brand and new technology.

Original news source: China’s BYD overtakes Tesla’s electric car sales in last quarter of 2023 (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a copy of the article and have them read it together. After reading, instruct each group to write a summary of the article, focusing on the main points and key details. After a designated time, have each group share their summaries with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask each group to discuss and answer the following question: “Do you think BYD’s success in selling more electric cars than Tesla in the last three months of 2023 is a sign that Tesla is losing its position as the leader in the electric car market? Why or why not?” After a designated time, have each group share their opinions with the class and facilitate a class discussion.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a list of vocabulary words from the article. Instruct one student from each pair to choose a word from the list and draw a picture representing that word, while the other student guesses the word. After a designated time, have the pairs switch roles. Continue until all the words have been guessed.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to represent the pros of BYD’s success in selling more electric cars than Tesla, and the other group to represent the cons. Instruct each group to brainstorm and write down their arguments. After a designated time, have each group present their arguments to the class and facilitate a debate.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask each group to discuss and make predictions about the future of the electric car market based on the information in the article. Some guiding questions could include: “Will BYD continue to outsell Tesla in the coming years? How will Tesla respond to the competition? Will other companies emerge as major players in the market?” After a designated time, have each group share their predictions with the class and facilitate a class discussion.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. How many electric cars did BYD sell in the last three months of 2023?
2. Who sold more electric cars overall for the whole year, BYD or Tesla?
3. Did Tesla reach their goal of selling two million cars in 2023?
4. How many new energy vehicles did BYD sell in 2023?
5. What advantage does BYD have over their competitors in terms of batteries?
6. Why were BYD able to lower their prices in December 2023?
7. Who started BYD and when was it started?
8. What does the competition between BYD and Tesla show about the demand for electric cars?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Chinese company BYD sold more (1)______ cars than (2)______ in the last three months of 2023. They sold a record-breaking 526,000 battery-only vehicles, which is more than Tesla for the (3)______ time. However, Tesla still sold more electric cars overall for the whole year. In the last three months of 2023, Tesla sold a record 484,500 electric cars, which was more than what (4)______ expected. Tesla’s sales went up by 20% compared to the same time in 2022, but they didn’t reach their goal of (5)______ two million cars in 2023. BYD’s success shows how (6)______ the electric car market is and the challenges Tesla (7)______ in staying on top.

BYD, which is based in Shenzhen, sold over 3 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2023. This includes battery-only cars and hybrids. Almost 1.6 million of those were battery-only cars. BYD’s success is because they make their own batteries, which helps them save money. Other (8)______ have to buy batteries from other manufacturers. This gives BYD an (9)______ over their competitors. In December 2023, they were able to lower their prices a lot because of their battery business, and this led to a 70% increase in sales.

BYD was (10)______ in 1995 by Wang Chuanfu and his cousin. They started by making rechargeable batteries and later bought a car (11)______ that was struggling. Since 2008, Warren Buffett’s company Berkshire Hathaway has been a (12)______ in BYD. Their (13)______ in the electric car industry shows how good they are at (14)______ batteries and being adaptable.

The (15)______ between BYD and Tesla shows how much people want electric cars all over the world. As the market gets more competitive, it will be hard for Tesla to be the leader again. BYD’s success shows how tough it is for Tesla to stay on top. But Tesla is still a big player in the electric car market because of their (16)______ brand and new technology.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a battery-only vehicle?
2. How would you feel if you owned an electric car?
3. Do you like the idea of electric cars? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s important for companies to make their own batteries? Why or why not?
5. What challenges do you think Tesla faces in staying on top of the electric car market?
6. Why do you think BYD was able to lower their prices so much in December 2023?
7. What advantages does BYD have over their competitors?
8. How do you think the competition between BYD and Tesla affects the electric car market?
9. Do you think people all over the world want electric cars? Why or why not?
10. How tough do you think it is for Tesla to stay on top in the electric car market?
11. Why do you think Tesla is still a big player in the electric car market?
12. What do you think it takes for a company to be successful in the electric car industry?
13. How do you think the success of BYD and Tesla affects other car companies?
14. Have you ever ridden in an electric car? If so, what was your experience like?
15. What do you think the future of the electric car market will look like?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. record-breaking
2. hybrids
3. competitive
4. challenges
5. shareholders
6. rechargeable
7. adaptable
8. industry
9. technology
10. manufacturer
11. struggling
12. advantage
13. increase
14. leader
15. brand

Meanings:
(A) Difficult tasks or problems that test a person’s ability
(B) Able to be filled with electricity again after being used
(C) The name and image of a product that is well known and makes people think of a particular quality
(D) Involving a strong effort to be better or more successful than others
(E) A group of businesses that make or sell similar products or services
(F) A growth or move to a higher amount, number, or level
(G) A person who is in charge or commands a group, organization, or country
(H) Vehicles that use two different types of power, like gasoline and electricity
(I) Setting a new high standard or level that has never been reached before
(J) Having a hard time and finding it difficult to succeed
(K) Capable of changing or being modified to suit new conditions or situations
(L) A company that makes goods in large quantities
(M) The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in engineering
(N) Something that puts you in a better position than others
(O) People who own a part of a company through stocks
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which company sold more electric cars than Tesla in the last three months of 2023?
(a) BYD
(b) Ford
(c) Toyota
(d) Chevrolet

2. How many battery-only vehicles did BYD sell in the last three months of 2023?
(a) 484,500
(b) 526,000
(c) 2 million
(d) 3 million

3. Which company sold more electric cars overall for the whole year?
(a) BYD
(b) Tesla
(c) Ford
(d) Toyota

4. By how much did Tesla’s sales increase in the last three months of 2023 compared to the same time in 2022?
(a) 20%
(b) 70%
(c) 50%
(d) 10%

5. What advantage does BYD have over its competitors in the electric car market?
(a) They have a strong brand
(b) They have new technology
(c) They make their own batteries
(d) They have lower prices

6. When was BYD started?
(a) 2008
(b) 2023
(c) 1995
(d) 2022

7. Who has been a shareholder in BYD since 2008?
(a) Warren Buffett
(b) Ford
(c) Toyota
(d) Berkshire Hathaway

8. What does BYD’s success in the electric car industry show?
(a) How tough it is for Tesla to stay on top
(b) How much people want electric cars all over the world
(c) All of the above
(d) How good they are at making batteries and being adaptable

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. BYD’s success is attributed to their ability to make their own batteries, giving them a competitive advantage.
2. However, Tesla still sold fewer electric cars overall for the entire year.
3. The competition between BYD and Tesla downplays the growing demand for electric cars worldwide and the challenges Tesla faces in maintaining its leadership position.
4. Tesla’s sales increased by 20% compared to the same period in 2022.
5. BYD, a Chinese company, sold more electric cars than Tesla in the last three months of 2023.
6. BYD sold over 3 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2023, including battery-only cars and hybrids.
7. In the last three months of 2023, Tesla sold a meager 484,500 electric cars, falling short of experts’ expectations.
8. BYD sold a disappointing 526,000 battery-only vehicles, failing to surpass Tesla’s sales for the first time.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Who sold more electric cars in the last three months of 2023, BYD or Tesla?
2. Did Tesla reach their goal of selling two million cars in 2023?
3. Why does BYD have an advantage over other companies in the electric car market?
4. Who started BYD and when was it started?
5. What advantages does Tesla have in the electric car market, despite competition from BYD?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How many electric cars did BYD sell in the last three months of 2023?
BYD sold a record-breaking 526,000 battery-only vehicles in the last three months of 2023.

2. Who sold more electric cars overall for the whole year, BYD or Tesla?
Tesla sold more electric cars overall for the whole year.

3. Did Tesla reach their goal of selling two million cars in 2023?
No, Tesla did not reach their goal of selling two million cars in 2023.

4. How many new energy vehicles did BYD sell in 2023?
BYD sold over 3 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2023.

5. What advantage does BYD have over their competitors in terms of batteries?
BYD makes their own batteries, which helps them save money and gives them an advantage over their competitors who have to buy batteries from other manufacturers.

6. Why were BYD able to lower their prices in December 2023?
BYD was able to lower their prices in December 2023 because of their battery business, which helped them save money and led to a 70% increase in sales.

7. Who started BYD and when was it started?
BYD was started in 1995 by Wang Chuanfu and his cousin.

8. What does the competition between BYD and Tesla show about the demand for electric cars?
The competition between BYD and Tesla shows that there is a high demand for electric cars all over the world, and the market is becoming more competitive. It also shows the challenges Tesla faces in staying on top in the electric car industry.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) electric
(2) Tesla
(3) first
(4) experts
(5) selling
(6) competitive
(7) faces
(8) companies
(9) advantage
(10) started
(11) company
(12) shareholder
(13) success
(14) making
(15) competition
(16) strong
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. record-breaking
Answer: (I) Setting a new high standard or level that has never been reached before

2. hybrids
Answer: (H) Vehicles that use two different types of power, like gasoline and electricity

3. competitive
Answer: (D) Involving a strong effort to be better or more successful than others

4. challenges
Answer: (A) Difficult tasks or problems that test a person’s ability

5. shareholders
Answer: (O) People who own a part of a company through stocks

6. rechargeable
Answer: (B) Able to be filled with electricity again after being used

7. adaptable
Answer: (K) Capable of changing or being modified to suit new conditions or situations

8. industry
Answer: (E) A group of businesses that make or sell similar products or services

9. technology
Answer: (M) The use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in engineering

10. manufacturer
Answer: (L) A company that makes goods in large quantities

11. struggling
Answer: (J) Having a hard time and finding it difficult to succeed

12. advantage
Answer: (N) Something that puts you in a better position than others

13. increase
Answer: (F) A growth or move to a higher amount, number, or level

14. leader
Answer: (G) A person who is in charge or commands a group, organization, or country

15. brand
Answer: (C) The name and image of a product that is well known and makes people think of a particular quality
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Which company sold more electric cars than Tesla in the last three months of 2023?
Answer: (a) BYD

2. How many battery-only vehicles did BYD sell in the last three months of 2023?
Answer: (b) 526,000

3. Which company sold more electric cars overall for the whole year?
Answer: (b) Tesla

4. By how much did Tesla’s sales increase in the last three months of 2023 compared to the same time in 2022?
Answer: (a) 20%

5. What advantage does BYD have over its competitors in the electric car market?
Answer: (c) They make their own batteries

6. When was BYD started?
Answer: (c) 1995

7. Who has been a shareholder in BYD since 2008?
Answer: (d) Berkshire Hathaway

8. What does BYD’s success in the electric car industry show?
Answer: (d) How good they are at making batteries and being adaptable
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. BYD’s success is attributed to their ability to make their own batteries, giving them a competitive advantage. (Answer: True)
2. However, Tesla still sold fewer electric cars overall for the entire year. (Answer: False)
3. The competition between BYD and Tesla downplays the growing demand for electric cars worldwide and the challenges Tesla faces in maintaining its leadership position. (Answer: False)
4. Tesla’s sales increased by 20% compared to the same period in 2022. (Answer: True)
5. BYD, a Chinese company, sold more electric cars than Tesla in the last three months of 2023. (Answer: True)
6. BYD sold over 3 million new energy vehicles (NEVs) in 2023, including battery-only cars and hybrids. (Answer: True)
7. In the last three months of 2023, Tesla sold a meager 484,500 electric cars, falling short of experts’ expectations. (Answer: False)
8. BYD sold a disappointing 526,000 battery-only vehicles, failing to surpass Tesla’s sales for the first time. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧