BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, is aggressively targeting the European market with a new compact model and groundbreaking charging technology, according to a recent interview with company vice-president Stella Li in Paris.
“You will see, starting from March or April, our registration numbers will jump” across Europe, Li told AFP. She further stated the company anticipates a marked rise in BYD sales throughout Europe this year.
BYD has been actively promoting its brand through major advertising campaigns. Last year, the company sponsored the European Championships in football. Additionally, BYD has been expanding its presence by opening new showrooms throughout Europe.
BYD plans to launch its Seagull model, which will be re-branded as the Dolphin Surf in Europe. The vehicle, a compact electric car, aims to compete with models such as the Renault 5 and Citroen C3. Its release is slated for mid-year, according to Li.
This week, BYD unveiled a new charging system in China. The company claims this technology can add approximately 470 kilometers (nearly 300 miles) of battery life after just five minutes of charging. This is reportedly four times faster than the most advanced systems currently available.
“It is really as fast as refuelling a petrol car,” Li said. “We are… preparing to bring this kind of cutting-edge technology to Europe in the next few years.”
In the first two months of 2025, BYD doubled its exports compared to the previous year, reaching 130,000 vehicles. In 2024, the company sold 4.2 million vehicles globally, securing its position as the world’s sixth-largest car manufacturer.
The European Union has imposed a 17-percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles due to state subsidies. However, Li maintains that these restrictions “will not change BYD’s plan because BYD is like a long-term player.”
EU authorities are also reportedly investigating BYD’s first European factory, located in Hungary. Electric car production at the facility is scheduled to begin later this year. “We will be very transparent, very open, working with anybody who wants to do an investigation,” Li stated.
