China’s BYD beat Tesla in EV sales, but not in soft power

In the first few decades of automotive history, the motor car was arguably the most visible, most visceral expression of national character a country could export. A car conferred more soft power on its country of origin than any other consumer product.

In the early 20th century, the ability to mass-produce cars was shorthand for national modernity and industrial prowess. Henry Ford’s assembly line didn’t just democratize transportation — it announced America’s arrival as an…