BYD has made waves in the industry with the unveiling of its new Seagull (Dolphin Mini), boasting starting prices as low as $9,700 (69,800 yuan). Despite not being available in the US, American automakers are taking note of the disruptive potential of BYD’s latest offering.
The new Seagull EV Honor Edition (Dolphin Mini overseas) was launched earlier this month, featuring a “shocking price” starting at around $9,700 (69,800 yuan). Equipped with BYD’s Blade batteries, the EV comes in 30.08 kWh and 38.88 kWh versions, offering ranges of up to 190 miles (305 km) and 252 miles (405 km) respectively. Additionally, it boasts fast charging capability, able to charge from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes.
The interior of the Seagull EV is far from basic, featuring a 10.1″ rotating center screen and a minimalist design that belies its affordable price tag. With DiLink’s intelligent network, users can interact and play videos, adding to the overall appeal of the vehicle.
Former Lamborghini designer Wolfgang Egger led the design of the Seagull, earning it the nickname “Lamborghini mini” in local reports. What’s more, BYD reportedly achieves a profit on the Seagull, a fact that has American automakers concerned.
Terry Woychowski, former GM executive and current president of automotive at Caresoft Global, sees BYD’s new Seagull as a potential game-changer for the industry. In a CNBC report, Woychowski described the low-cost electric car as “a significant event,” signaling a shift in the industry that American automakers must heed.
Caresoft Global, known for inspecting every part of a vehicle to improve efficiency, found the Seagull to be simple, efficiently designed, and well-executed, with better-than-expected quality and reliability.
“What they did do is done very well,” Woychowski stated. “It’s efficiently done.” At under $10,000, the Seagull offers exceptional value.
While BYD currently has no plans to enter the US passenger EV market, if the Seagull were to arrive in America, it would likely be tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than the average electric car.
In South America, BYD launched the Seagull EV as the Dolphin Mini, with a starting price in Brazil of around $20,000 (99,800 BRL).
American automakers are bracing for the impact of BYD’s disruptive entry into the market. Ford, for instance, is focusing on smaller, more affordable EVs, including a compact electric pickup and SUV, with plans to launch the first model in 2026 at a starting price of around $25,000.
Similarly, GM is set to introduce its next-gen Chevy Bolt EV, based on the Ultium platform, next year. CFO Paul Jacobson highlighted that the new Bolt EV will save billions as the first Ultium-based model to use LFP batteries. Ford also plans to utilize LFP batteries for its next-gen models to reduce costs.
