BYD deprives Europe of its affordable car

The current strategy of BYD in Europe makes perfect sense in light of recent announcements regarding its production in Hungary.

If we could expect the arrival of the BYD Dolphin Surf, a small, successful electric city car in China, as early as 2025, it is ultimately the duo Dolphin and Atto 3 that will lead the way. These models, already sold in Europe, will be the first to come out of the Hungarian factory starting late 2025. A decision that is perfectly coherent: by locally manufacturing these vehicles, BYD not only secures exemption from the recently increased import taxes but also gains access to purchase aids offered by several European countries for cars made within the EU.

Rather than rushing the arrival of the Dolphin Surf, initially promised, BYD chooses to strengthen its position in the compact segment, where the Dolphin struggles to find its place against European best-sellers. With a 30% price reduction, the situation would be entirely different! The Atto 3 crossover, however, is well established, and increasingly seen on European streets, demonstrating a format aligned with European expectations. It logically complements this initial wave of production. The third step is expected to introduce a more affordable model, most likely the Atto 2, before the Dolphin Surf, scheduled fourth.

This reorganization also reflects the reality on the ground. In China, the Dolphin Surf named Seagull is a genuine phenomenon, with over 348,000 units sold in ten months. The Chinese factory is already struggling to keep up with local demand. In this context, a few hundred additional units for Europe are not very significant. It is therefore strategic for BYD to delay its conquest of the small city car segment in Europe. The world’s leading electric vehicle brand, which recently overtook Tesla, does not need Europe in the short term to continue its expansion!

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