[Edaily Reporter LEE BAE-WOON ] Amid recent criticism, primarily on some online communities and YouTube, that accident repair costs for BYD vehicles are excessively high, BYD Korea has issued an official statement.

The company explained that even if exterior damage appears minor, additional damage may have occurred to the vehicle’s interior and structural components, and that the repair estimates at the center of the controversy were calculated based on the actual extent of the damage and the necessary work.

On the 1st, BYD Korea emphasized in a statement, “In the case of the accident recently reported in the media, only certain damaged areas were shown, and explanations regarding internal damage were omitted, which led to the vehicle’s actual damage status and scope of work being portrayed as less severe than they actually were.” The company added, “The repair estimate for the vehicle involved was calculated based on the actual repair process, including structural repairs and the removal and reinstallation of major components.”

The company also refuted claims that the vehicle’s lack of durability leads to significant internal damage even in minor accidents. It explained that collision damage varies depending on numerous factors, so one cannot conclusively judge a vehicle’s durability and safety based solely on exterior damage.

BYD Korea explained, “Cars are designed so that the body absorbs and disperses collision energy to reduce the impact transmitted to occupants,” adding, “In this process, not only the exterior panels but also the body structures that absorb collision energy may become deformed or damaged.” The company also cited the fact that vehicles sold in Korea have earned the highest 5-star rating in the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) as further evidence.

The company also refuted claims that the repair cost calculation process lacks transparency. It explained that it uses the standards and data from “Audatex,” a global automotive accident repair estimation system, when calculating accident repair estimates.

They further clarified that since initial estimates are based solely on visible damage—such as exterior damage—at the time of assessment, the final cost may change if additional damage is discovered during a detailed inspection after the vehicle is brought in for service. The average hourly labor rate for general repairs at official service centers is 115,000 won.

Regarding the reason why labor rates vary even among BYD’s official service centers, the company explained that each dealer sets its own prices independently. The implication is that it is difficult for BYD Korea to enforce a uniform labor rate across all dealers.

The company also provided clarification regarding parts prices and supply. BYD Korea claimed that it manages parts prices at competitive levels based on a vertically integrated system in which it manufactures a significant portion of its core components itself, and that it discloses the prices of individual parts on its website.

BYD Korea added, “To ensure prompt maintenance, we pre-stock key maintenance and accident repair parts at our domestic parts distribution center and dealer service network,” and noted, “We continuously monitor maintenance data and dealer demand to proactively secure domestic inventory of necessary parts.”