The price range covered by BYD's product array is seeing an unprecedented expansion, with the official launch of a new model priced as low as RMB 73,800, after the Yangwang U8 started pre-sales for more than RMB 1 million.
The Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) giant officially launched the micro battery electric vehicle (BEV) model BYD Seagull, the latest addition to its Ocean series
The car is available in three versions with starting prices of RMB 73,800, RMB 78,800 and RMB 89,800 respectively.
BYD unveiled the Seagull and started its pre-sales on the first day of the Shanghai auto show on April 18, with the three versions priced at RMB 78,800, RMB 83,800 and RMB 95,800 respectively. The company's final pricing announced means that the starting prices for all three versions are RMB 5,000, RMB 5,000 and RMB 6,000 lower than the pre-sale prices.
The Seagull is an A0-class EV based on BYD's e-Platform 3.0 with a length, width and height of 3,780 mm, 1,715 mm and 1,540 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,500 mm. The model is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power of 55 kW and peak torque of 135 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 50 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The vehicle is available in two range versions with blade battery capacities of 30.08 kWh and 38.88 kWh, which provide a CLTC range of 305 km and 405 km, respectively. The BYD Seagull supports fast charging, taking 30 minutes to charge from 30 percent to 80 percent.
For BYD, the Seagull will likely be a model of strategic importance, especially when compared to the high-end Yangwang models.
As BYD gradually gained a foothold in the mid- to high-end market, the company began to move into the higher price range, announcing the Yangwang brand and the brand's first two models, the U8 off-road SUV and U9 supercar, on January 5.
On April 18, Yangwang?started the pre-sales of the U8?at the Shanghai auto show, with a pre-sale price of RMB 1,098,000. In addition to the Yangwang brand, BYD also has the Denza and the yet-to-be-launched?F brand, targeting a market with prices above RMB 300,000.
The importance of the Seagull is that it allows BYD's products to cover a lower price range and thus a broader market than these premium models.
