BYD has launched an updated version of the Seagull, lowering the starting price to RMB 69,800, or about $9,700.
(Image credit: BYD)
BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY) has rolled out an updated version of the Seagull, lowering the price of its least expensive model even further in its latest round of model updates.
The new energy vehicle (NEV) maker today launched the Seagull's Glory Edition at a starting price of RMB 69,800 ($9,700), down RMB 4,000, or 5.42 percent, from the previous starting price of RMB 73,800.
BYD launched its latest round of model updates on February 19 with the launch of the Qin Plus Glory Edition as well as the Chaser 05 Glory Edition. The company launched the Champion Editions in its last round of model updates last year.
The starting price of both the Qin Plus Glory Edition and Chaser 05 Glory Edition has been lowered to RMB 79,800, just RMB 6,000 higher than the starting price of the previously available Seagull.
The lower starting price of the Seagull's Glory Edition widens the price gap between the model and the Qin Plus Glory Edition and Chaser 05 Glory Edition to RMB 10,000 yuan.
BYD launched the Seagull on April 26, 2023, with starting prices of RMB 73,800, RMB 78,800, and RMB 89,800 for the 2023 model year.
BYD continues to offer three variants of the Seagull Glory Edition with starting prices of RMB 69,800, RMB 75,800 and RMB 85,800 respectively.
The battery electric vehicle (BEV) remains unchanged in terms of key specifications, with length, width and height remaining at 3,780 mm, 1,715 mm and 1,540 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,500 mm.
The model continues to be powered by a blade battery based on lithium iron phosphate chemistry, with the two least expensive versions having a pack capacity of 30.08 kWh and the most expensive 38.88 kWh, as before.
These three versions have a CLTC range of 305 kilometers, 305 kilometers and 405 kilometers respectively.
It has an electric motor with a maximum power of 55 kW and a peak torque of 135 Nm, which allows the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 50 kilometers per hour in 4.9 seconds. BYD didn't mention the model's time to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h.
Being its cheapest model, the Seagull allows BYD to reach out to more price-sensitive potential customers.
BYD is also reaching out to the ultra-luxury car market through its Yangwang brand, having already launched the Yangwang U8 SUV with a starting price of RMB 1,098,000 and the U9 electric supercar at RMB 1,680,000.
The Seagull is one of BYD's best-selling models, selling 280,217 units in 2023, contributing 9 percent of BYD's annual sales of 3,024,417, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.
BYD sold 122,311 NEVs in February, and the Seagull was the fourth-highest-selling BYD model at 13,492 units sold.
On March 4, BYD said it launched the Seagull in Brazil and Mexico, but the model is known locally as the Dolphin Mini.
The Dolphin is another BYD model with a slightly higher price tag, and received a Glory Edition update on February 23 with a starting price of RMB 99,800, which is RMB 17,000, or 14.55 percent, lower than the previous version.
($1 = RMB 7.1987)
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