BYD’s $10K Seagull EV was the top-selling automobile in China final month

BYD’s least expensive electrical automobile, the Seagull, was the top-selling automobile in China final month, with almost 41,000 fashions offered. Beginning at below $10,000, the BYD Seagull even has US automakers fearful.

BYD’s Seagull was China’s top-selling automobile 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 “surprising 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 offered a file over 373,000 new vitality automobiles (together with PHEVs) in August. Of them, 148,470 had been all-electric.

BYD’s Seagull was the top-selling automobile in China in August, with 40,949 fashions offered. The corporate mentioned the Seagull is now China’s best-selling A00 class mannequin and pure electrical automobile 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’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 outdoors of China. Even Ford’s CEO Jim Farley known as the Seagull a “fairly rattling good” automobile, warning rivals of BYD’s low-cost EV. Compared, Ford solely offered 8,944 EVs mixed final month.

The Seagull is anticipated to launch as one of the vital reasonably priced EVs in Europe, beginning at below 20,000 euros ($21,500).

Though a number of automakers have promised to launch lower-priced EVs, will they be capable of sustain with BYD? And, extra importantly, nonetheless earn a revenue?

In keeping with AutoForecast Options CEO Joe McCabe, BYD’s Seagull would nonetheless be the most cost effective EV within the US at below $25,000, even with a 100% tariff.

North American CEO Stella Li has already mentioned 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 large from taking market share in different markets like Mexico, Southeast Asia, Europe, and presumably Canada.

BYD, which began as a battery maker, already has a major benefit with a longtime provide chain. The corporate’s “liberation battle” towards gas-powered automobiles seems to be working thus far. BYD mentioned its principal aim is to take market share from ICE automobiles whereas selling electrical automobiles.

Supply: BYD