BYD Dolphin G: big leap into Europe for the small Chinese hybrid

In 2026, BYD will launch the Dolphin G, a plug-in hybrid supermini specifically designed for Europe.

Rare for a Chinese manufacturer, this model will arrive in Europe even before its launch in China, a strategy that illustrates the growing importance BYD places on Europe, a land of rapid electrification and strict environmental standards.

The Dolphin G is positioned in the B segment, competing with benchmarks like the Toyota Yaris hybrid or the Renault Clio E-Tech. With a length of about four meters and a height of 1.5 meters, it will become the smallest PHEV offered on the old continent. While its competitors use conventional hybrid systems, the Dolphin G offers a PHEV powertrain capable of running in purely electric mode for several dozen kilometers, combined with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine at the front. The configuration, inspired by the DM-i system of the Atto 2, offers both energy efficiency and dynamism, ideal for urban and suburban journeys.

BYD adapts to European customs

Stella Li, vice president of BYD, clarifies the philosophy behind this model: “The Dolphin G is designed for Europe, not simply adapted from a Chinese model. Furthermore, there is no real market for this type of car in China.” This approach demonstrates BYD’s willingness to meet local expectations rather than the constraints of the domestic market.

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• 19/12/2025 8:58

BYD: The Electric Offensive Heats Up

The Dolphin G is part of a broader European offensive, where BYD is already producing the Dolphin Surf and the Atto 2 in its Hungarian factory. It will join an expanding range of PHEVs, including the Seal U DM-i, Seal 6 DM-i, and the Denza B5 and Z9. With the Dolphin G, BYD is not just following the electric trend: the brand positions itself as a player capable of innovating and launching models in the European market even before their own domestic market, sending a strong signal to the industry and consumers.

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