Chinese automaker BYD announced ambitious plans to expand its presence in Europe on Thursday, aiming to challenge established brands with a new compact electric vehicle (EV) and cutting-edge, super-fast charging capabilities.
“You will see, starting from March or April, our registration numbers will jump” in Europe, declared Stella Li, BYD’s vice-president, during an interview at a Paris showroom. She further projected a significant increase in BYD’s European sales throughout this year. The company has already initiated major advertising campaigns, including sponsoring the European Football Championship last year, and has also expanded its showroom network across the continent.
BYD intends to introduce its compact Seagull model, which will be rebranded as the Dolphin Surf in Europe, as a direct competitor to the Renault 5 and Citroen C3. The launch is anticipated around the mid-year mark, according to Li.
This week, BYD unveiled a new charging system in China. The technology is claimed to provide drivers with an additional 470 kilometers (nearly 300 miles) of range after only five minutes of charging. This is four times faster than the current leading systems. “It is really as fast as refuelling a petrol car,” Li stated. “We are… preparing to bring this kind of cutting-edge technology to Europe in the next few years.”
BYD reported a doubling of its exports during the first two months of 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching 130,000 vehicles. The company sold 4.2 million cars worldwide in 2024, securing its position as the world’s sixth-largest car manufacturer.
The European Union recently imposed a 17-percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in response to state subsidies provided by China. Despite this, Li maintained that these restrictions “will not change BYD’s plan because BYD is like a long-term player.”
EU authorities are reportedly also investigating BYD’s upcoming European factory in Hungary, where EV production is planned to commence later this year. Li addressed the investigation, stating, “We will be very transparent, very open, working with anybody who wants to do an investigation.”
