What is the significance of BYD naming its cars after Chinese dynasties?
2 Answers
BYD uses dynasty names for its cars to showcase traditional Chinese culture to the world. Chinese characters are a prominent feature of Chinese culture, so BYD hopes its products can embody more Chinese elements. Additionally, BYD's strong product capabilities in terms of quality, configuration, and performance allow the company to promote the quality of Chinese manufacturing through this naming strategy. The use of dynasty branding aligns with BYD's corporate strategy and incorporates numerous Chinese elements. In 2012, the 'Qin' model launched BYD's 'Dynasty Series,' which now includes five product families: 'Qin,' 'Han,' 'Tang,' 'Song,' and 'Yuan.' Future additions will include models like 'Ming' and 'Shang.' The vehicle logos for these models also feature seal script, one of the ancient Chinese calligraphy styles, to reflect the profound depth of Chinese culture.
I find BYD's use of dynasties for naming quite interesting. This is essentially a cultural strategy. Each dynasty in Chinese history represents iconic achievements—the Qin's unification, the Han's prosperity, the Tang's openness and inclusiveness, the Song's economic boom, and the Yuan's vast territory. By choosing these names, the automaker aims to project this historical gravitas and national pride onto their electric vehicles. When people hear names like Qin, Han, Tang, or Song, they subconsciously associate the products with premium quality, reliability, and heritage. Compared to cold alphanumeric model names, monikers like "Tang Dynasty" or "Han Dynasty" are far more memorable and culturally resonant. This approach not only strengthens the brand's national identity but also creates a sharp contrast with European, American, and Japanese car brands—a clever localization strategy indeed.
