BYD’s least expensive electrical automotive, the Seagull, was the top-selling automotive in China final month, with practically 41,000 fashions bought. Beginning at underneath $10,000, the BYD Seagull even has US automakers nervous.
BYD’s Seagull was China’s top-selling car in August
BYD has been on a roll, launching lower-priced, up to date fashions of its best-selling fashions. In March, BYD launched the Seagull EV Honor Version with a “stunning value” beginning at simply 69,800 yuan, or lower than $10,000.
Simply 5 months later, BYD launched the 2025 Seagull with the identical beginning value. The Seagull is already sitting atop the gross sales charts in China.
After a record-breaking August, BYD topped a million EV gross sales in 2024. The corporate bought a file over 373,000 new vitality autos (together with PHEVs) in August. Of them, 148,470 have been all-electric.
BYD’s Seagull was the top-selling car in China in August, with 40,949 fashions bought. The corporate stated the Seagull is now China’s best-selling A00 class mannequin and pure electrical automotive for the sixth consecutive month.
The Seagull EV is offered in three trims in China with two BYD Blade battery choices (30.08 kWh or 38.88 kWh), offering as much as 252 miles (405 km) CLTC vary.
BYD Seagull Honor Version trim | Beginning Worth | Vary (CLTC) |
Energetic | $9,700 (69,800 yuan) |
190 mi (305 km) |
Free | $10,500 (75,800 yuan) |
190 mi (305 km) |
Flying | $12,000 (85,800 yuan) |
252 mi (405 km) |
BYD’s low-cost EV has earned the nickname “mini Lamborghini” as former Lamborghini designer Wolfgang Egger led the Seagull’s design.
Inside, the Seagull is loaded with BYD’s newest tech and software program, together with a ten.1″ rotating infotainment with DiLink clever community connection.
BYD is promoting the Seagull EV abroad because the Dolphin Mini. In Brazil, the Dolphin Mini (Seagull) begins at round $20,000 (99,800 BRL). It’s roughly the identical in Mexico at 358,800 pesos, or round $19,000.
Electrek’s Take
BYD’s least expensive EV is worrying rivals in and out of doors of China. Even Ford’s CEO Jim Farley referred to as the Seagull a “fairly rattling good” automotive, warning rivals of BYD’s low-cost EV. As compared, Ford solely bought 8,944 EVs mixed final month.
The Seagull is predicted to launch as one of the vital inexpensive EVs in Europe, beginning at underneath 20,000 euros ($21,500).
Though a number of automakers have promised to launch lower-priced EVs, will they have the ability to sustain with BYD? And, extra importantly, nonetheless earn a revenue?
In response to AutoForecast Options CEO Joe McCabe, BYD’s Seagull would nonetheless be the most affordable EV within the US at underneath $25,000, even with a 100% tariff.
North American CEO Stella Li has already stated BYD has no plans to launch passenger EVs (they already promote electrical buses) within the US. Nonetheless, that received’t cease the Chinese language auto big from taking market share in different markets like Mexico, Southeast Asia, Europe, and probably Canada.
BYD, which began as a battery maker, already has a major benefit with a longtime provide chain. The corporate’s “liberation battle” in opposition to gas-powered autos seems to be working up to now. BYD stated its fundamental purpose is to take market share from ICE autos whereas selling electrical vehicles.
Supply: BYD
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