The BYD (EV) Thread

BYD's overseas sales double, over 1 million cars sold in Q1

BYD just recorded its best first quarter ever. The company's overseas sales have doubled in the first three months of 2025, thanks to the significant expansion beyond China. With a diverse lineup ranging from budget-friendly EVs to high-performance luxury models, BYD is beginning to challenge established automakers worldwide.

In March alone, BYD sold 377,420 new energy vehicles (NEVs) globally, a category that includes both plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars. Of those sales, 166,110 were pure electric vehicles, while 205,310 were plug-in hybrids. Overall, the company's sales increased by 23% compared to the same period last year.

For the first quarter of 2025, BYD's total NEV sales surpassed one million units (including commercial vehicles), a 60% jump from the previous year. 416,388 were battery-powered EVs, which represents a 39% increase compared to the Q1 of the last year. The overall percentage of all-electric vehicles sold by BYD has gone down, though - plug-in hybrids and EREVs took nearly 48% of all sales.

BYD's key strategy is offering affordable EVs. And a lot of them. Take the Seagull, known as the Dolphin Mini in some markets and priced around €9,000 in China. This low-cost approach has helped BYD snatch a significant market share.


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BYD Shark 6 touches down as SA's most powerful bakkie! Pricing and specifications

BYD has effectively doubled its model range in South Africa with the introduction of the highly-anticipated Shark 6 double cab bakkie as well as the Sealion 6 hybrid SUV and Sealion 7 electric SUV.

The BYD Shark 6 is the firm's first bakkie, and introduces its DMO Super Hybrid Off-road Platform.

Priced at R959,900, it is officially South Africa's most powerful bakkie. The EHS electric hybrid powertrain gives the predatory pick-up some serious bite, with outputs listed at 321kW and 650Nm. The Ford Ranger Raptor, for the record, musters 292kW and 583Nm.

The hybrid system pairs two electric motors with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. It's rather quick too, with BYD claiming a 5.7-second 0-100km/h sprint time.

Thanks to a 29.5 kWh BYD Blade battery, the vehicle also boasts a WLTP range of 85km on electric power alone, according to claims. When the battery runs out of juice, owners can expect fuel consumption in the region of 9.6 litres per 100km, BYD says.

Standard features include power-adjustable and heated front seats, 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, 12 speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 360-degree camera and Head-Up Display.

Driver assist features come in the form of Adaptive Cruise Control, Front and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection and Lane Departure Prevention, among other items.

The BYD Shark 6 Premium is priced at R959,900.

 
BYD’s premium brand Denza is launching in Europe next week

Denza, a premium electric vehicle brand originally formed as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and BYD, is officially debuting in Europe at the upcoming Brera Design Week in Milan. The event is a key part of the larger Fuorisalone design festival running from April 7 to April 13 and will serve as the launchpad for Denza's entry into a competitive European electric car market. The company announced its arrival with a message on social media, stating its intention to bring "the future of premium electric mobility to Europe."

Denza was initially established in 2011 with equal 50% stakes from both Mercedes-Benz and the Chinese automotive giant BYD, but the venture struggled to gain traction in the market. Even with a substantial registered capital of approximately €1 billion, Denza sales never took off. This eventually led to Mercedes-Benz's departure in December 2021, and BYD fully acquired Denza in September 2024.

Under BYD's full control, Denza underwent a transformation into a premium electric car brand. This new direction saw the introduction of five new models in the Chinese market: the D9 minivan, the N7 and N9 SUVs, and the Z9 sedan and Z9 GT wagon. The company experienced significant sales growth in China in 2024, selling 125,674 vehicles and setting the stage for its expansion into Europe.


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BYD is giving Tesla a real run for its money, even if sticking to only EVs. Their choice to go PHEV is even better.

I would like to drive the Sealion 7 and Shark 6. To see what they're like.
 
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