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BYD Seagull Is the Affordable EV All Carmakers Should Fear Right Now

Tesla caused a frenzy when it said it would develop a $25,000 car in China. Elon Musk announced on the Q4 2021 earnings call that the plans were postponed. Volkswagen kept its plans for an affordable EV costing €20,000 ($20,302 at the current exchange rate), but only for 2025. BYD sells the Dolphin in China starting at RMB93,800 ($13,878). If that was not enough, it has an even more affordable car in the pipeline, the Seagull. This is the car other automakers should fear right now. Not only for its price but also because of how fast BYD is expanding abroad.
BYD Seagull, according to anonymous renderings shared on Weibo 13 photos
Photo: via CarNewsChina
BYD Seagull, according to anonymous renderings shared on WeiboBYD Seagull, according to anonymous renderings shared on WeiboBYD Seagull spy picturesBYD Seagull spy picturesBYD Seagull spy picturesBYD Seagull spy picturesBYD Seagull, according to anonymous renderings shared on WeiboBYD announces it will sell its cars in Japan on July 21BYD announces it will sell its cars in Japan on July 21BYD announces it will sell its cars in Germany and Sweden on August 1BYD announces it will sell its cars in Germany and Sweden on August 1BYD announces it will sell its cars in Israel on August 2
On July 21, the company announced it would sell the Dolphin, the Atto 3, and the Seal in the Japanese market. On August 1, it closed a deal with the Hedin Mobility Group to distribute its cars in Sweden and Germany. On August 2, BYD signed Shlomo Motors as its distributor in Israel. That’s a swift pace to deliver these electric cars, which BYD is also making sure it will produce on the necessary scale with five plants already working and four others in construction.

According to our friends at CarNewsChina, the Seagull should start at around RMB60,000 ($8,877) and cost up to RMB100,000 ($14,796). In other words, it should not compete with the Dolphin. The four-door layout makes it evident that it sits at least four people, but we would not doubt if it could transport one more person – that’s crucial in developing countries, where the Seagull promises to be very popular. If the anonymous renderings we have in our gallery are accurate, its styling will favor that.

The Chinese press is saying that the entry-level Seagull will have a 30.7-kWh LFP battery pack that will offer an NEDC range of 301 kilometers (187 miles). The 70-kW (94-hp) motor helps it go a bit further. Those interested in more range and performance can buy the Seagull with a 44.9 kWh battery pack and a 130-kW (174-hp) motor. The range increases to 405 km (252 mi), which would be better if BYD also offered the larger battery pack with the smaller motor.

The Seagull was expected to have its official introduction in June or July, which didn’t happen. That probably has to do with development delays. However, it is not unlikely that BYD will have it ready until the end of the year. With its international expansion, the Chinese company will be selling a $10,000 EV for at least two years before its competitors can even offer a $20,000 EV – or $25,000, whatever.



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About the author: Gustavo Henrique Ruffo
Gustavo Henrique Ruffo profile photo

Motoring writer since 1998, Gustavo wants to write relevant stories about cars and their shift to a sustainable future.
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