BYD’s budget Seagull set to swoop in to Europe

Chinese car maker BYD stole last year’s Shanghai Auto Show with its $11,000 (£8,800) all-electric Seagull city car, and now it has confirmed that it’s heading to Europe.

Speaking at the Financial Times Future of the Car Summit in London, BYD Europe boss Michael Shu said, “It will take time for the Seagull in Europe – it’s not simple to make homologation.

“The car coming to Europe will be a different concept, but still a Seagull.” 

The European Seagull - sold in some markets as the Dolphin Mini - could arrive as soon as 2025, but any hopes that a European Seagull might match the Chinese version’s price have been dashed, with Shu saying, “The plan is to bring it in at under €20,000,” equating to £17,250. 

That price means the forthcoming Dacia Spring could considerably undercut the Seagull with its starting price of £14,995.

In China, the Seagull is slightly smaller than today’s European superminis at 3.78m in length. With European safety regulations to meet, that could see the Seagull grow in length as well as price.

In its home market, the Seagull is positioned below the BYD Dolphin as part of the brand’s ‘ocean series’ which, of course, also includes the BYD Seal.

Two versions of the Seagull are available in its home market with either 30 or 39kWh batteries for claimed ranges of 190 or 252 miles. Both versions get the same 74bhp front-mounted electric motor, though.

When we checked out the Seagull at last year’s Shanghai show – and again at this year’s Beijing fair – we were impressed by the style and kit count in such a cheap car. The swoopy interior looks good and is designed to mimic a Seagull’s wings, although it feels cheap, while there’s a 10-inch touchscreen and six airbags.

Also at the FT Summit Michael Shu confirmed that a second BYD European factory, in addition to the planned Hungary plant, was a possibility, especially if the European Union puts increased tariffs on imported Chinese cars.

He also did his best to reassure people that BYD will not be sharing data with China. “No data will be transferred outside,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about that.”

Two versions of the Seagull are available with claimed ranges of 190 or 252 miles