BYD Co. Ltd. (BYDDF) is dealing with a sizable recall in its home market. The Chinese EV giant is pulling back nearly 89,000 units of its Qin PLUS DM-i plug-in hybrid over battery problems that could leave drivers stranded.

What's Wrong With The Battery?

China's State Administration of Market Regulation announced Friday that BYD will recall 88,981 Qin PLUS DM-i vehicles manufactured between January 7, 2021, and September 30, 2023. The culprit is defects in the battery pack that could trigger a loss of power. In some extreme scenarios, the vehicle might not be able to operate in pure-electric mode at all, which presents obvious safety concerns.

The fix involves a multi-step approach. Dealers will push over-the-air software updates to detect the battery issue, which will show up as an alert on the dashboard panel. Once the problem is identified, customers can head to their local dealership for a free battery replacement. It's a comprehensive solution, though getting nearly 89,000 vehicles serviced will take some time.

European Expansion Continues Despite Recall

The recall news arrives while BYD is riding high in Europe. The company registered over 17,470 units in the region during October alone, representing a massive 206.8% jump compared to the same period last year. Year-to-date registrations have climbed past 138,390 units, showing sustained momentum in a market that matters increasingly to Chinese automakers.

BYD is also eyeing new opportunities in Europe with plans to introduce its 'Kei' car, pending regulatory approval of the E-car class by the EU. According to reports, the company is "very interested to follow the EU regulation" on this front.

Tesla Pushes FSD in Europe

Meanwhile, Tesla Inc. (TSLA) is making its own European moves. The company has teased an expansion of its Full Self-Driving technology in the region, targeting a February 2026 launch. The Dutch safety regulator RDW has confirmed that timeline.

To build buzz, Tesla is offering free Supervised Full Self-Driving rides to customers across Germany, France, Italy, and other European countries through the end of the year. It's a smart marketing play as both companies battle for European market share.