BYD Seal: First images of the Tesla Model 3 hunter from China

BYD (stands for "Build your Dreams") is the largest Chinese manufacturer of electric cars. Additionally, BYD is one of the most successful manufacturers of electric cars worldwide, behind Tesla and Volkswagen. The flagship model is the Han, a sedan nearly five meters in length. Over 150,000 units of this direct competitor to Tesla's Model S have already been produced. Now, with the BYD Seal, follows an assault on the most successful model of the Americans.

Corona is still disrupting all schedules

Covid is still throwing a wrench into the planning of all Chinese vehicle manufacturers. Factories in China are at a standstill, and even the auto show in Beijing is supposed to be postponed due to outbreaks in several Chinese cities. Product launches are being delayed; for instance, electric vehicle manufacturer NIO has moved its presentation of the ES7 from April to the end of May. The Chinese start-up Niutron has canceled the market launch of its first model for now, and Dongfeng Motors' premium electric vehicle brand Voyah's Dreamer MPV, which was supposed to be launched on April 7th, has been postponed indefinitely.

First Concrete Numbers for the Seal

According to information from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the BYD Seal measures 4.8 meters in length, 1.875 meters in width, and 1.46 meters in height with a wheelbase of 2.92 meters. Compared to the dimensions of the Tesla Model 3 (L: 4.694 meters, W: 1.85 meters, H: 1.443 meters, and wheelbase: 2.875 meters), it is noticeable that the Seal is about ten centimeters longer, but otherwise has very similar dimensions.

BYD has also already announced prices. They range between 220,000 and 280,000 RMB (RMB – Renminbi – is the official designation for the Chinese Yuan). Converted, this is between 31,500 and 40,000 Euros. After Tesla recently massively increased its prices for the base model Model 3, the Seal would be comparatively inexpensive. However, when it will come to Europe is still completely uncertain.