by Although BYD is known as one of the world’s leaders in electric vehicle production, in reality, their plug-in hybrid models sell better than fully electric ones. This is good for their expansion plans in Europe, as the company acknowledges that not all buyers are ready to switch to electric cars, so it is necessary to offer more hybrid options.
Although BYD’s main market remains China, to compete with global auto giants, the brand needs to increase sales in Europe. Penetrating this market is complicated by an insufficient dealer network and a limited selection of hybrid models.
During a speech in Stuttgart, BYD’s head for the Central European region, Maria Grazia Davino, announced that by the end of the year the company plans to introduce at least two new hybrid models, including for the German market. Currently, the only BYD hybrid in Europe is the Seal DM-i.
“Not everyone is ready for electric vehicles. We need other options to attract customers,” Davino noted. “Every month we are looking for the optimal balance between customer demands and distribution efficiency. In the near future, our strategy will be based on two directions: fully electric vehicles and DM-i technology.”
Despite European import duties, BYD plans to produce some models for the local market at new plants in Hungary and Turkey, which will avoid additional taxes.
Although sales in the region are not growing as fast as expected, there is positive momentum. In the first quarter of 2025, 8.5 thousand more vehicles were sold in Europe compared to the same period last year.
In addition to expanding its hybrid lineup, BYD also introduced its premium sub-brand Denza in Europe, which is positioned as a competitor to Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi. The first model was the Z9 GT, designed to compete with the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo, and it will later be joined by the D9 minivan.
