BYD’s Top-Selling $10k Seagull EV Heading Overseas

China’s BYD just had its best month of 2025, and its ultra-affordable Seagull EV is leading the charge, while America’s automotive industry struggles with unnecessary tariffs.

In April, the Chinese automaker sold 380,089 new energy vehicles (NEVs), a combination of fully electric and plug-in hybrid models. For the first time in over a year, fully electric models outsold hybrids, with 195,740 pure EVs delivered—up 45% year-over-year. The star performer? The Seagull, BYD’s cheapest EV, which alone accounted for 55,028 of those sales.

Starting at just 69,800 yuan (around $9,700 USD), the Seagull is the most affordable EV in BYD’s lineup. It comes in three trims—Active, Free, and Flying—with two battery options offering ranges of 305 km (190 miles) and 405 km (252 miles) on the China light-duty vehicle test cycle (CLTC). Designed by former Lamborghini and Audi designer Wolfgang Egger, the Seagull’s sporty angles and compact size (just 3,780 mm long) have earned it the nickname “Mini Lamborghini” in China.

BYD Seagull trim	Starting Price	Range (CLTC)
Active	$9,700 (69,800 yuan)	190 mi (305 km)
Free	$10,500 (75,800 yuan)	190 mi (305 km)
Flying	$12,000 (85,800 yuan)	252 mi (405 km)

Global Ambitions

The Seagull’s influence isn’t limited to China. BYD is pushing into overseas markets with momentum, setting a new international sales record for the fifth consecutive month in April with nearly 80,000 vehicles sold abroad. Through the first four months of 2025, BYD has moved 285,170 vehicles outside China—more than double the same period last year.

Marketed overseas as the Dolphin Mini, the Seagull is already being sold in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and the Philippines. Later this year, it will debut in Europe as the Dolphin Surf, with prices expected to start under £20,000 ($26,000 USD). Even with import tariffs, analysts believe BYD’s aggressive pricing strategy will keep the Seagull competitive in European markets.

A Bigger Picture

BYD’s broader success is built on its diverse brand strategy. The Ocean and Dynasty lines, which include the Seagull, made up the bulk of April’s sales with 347,053 units sold. Premium sub-brands like Denza, Fang Cheng Bao, and Yangwang added another 25,562 vehicles.

According to S&P Global Mobility, BYD’s European sales are projected to more than double in 2025, reaching 186,000 units. With its affordability, compact design, and growing international footprint, the Seagull could be one of the most disruptive EVs the global market has seen in years.

EVinfo.net’s Take

Under America’s current unnecessary tariffs, our automotive industry will struggle, falling further behind global automotive leader China.

CNBC reported that Ford Motor beat Wall Street’s first-quarter expectations, but suspended its 2025 financial guidance, due to an expected $2.5 billion impact from tariffs.

Ford said it expects to offset $1 billion of those costs through remediation actions as well as volume and pricing expectations for a total impact of $1.5 billion in 2025.

Ford’s tariff impact is notably less than the $4 billion to $5 billion that General Motors said it expected to incur as a result of the tariffs, as Ford imports fewer vehicles than GM.

Having once dismissed Chinese carmakers, America’s auto industry is now saying BYD and other Chinese EVS represent an existential threat, said Business Insider.

The trade barriers protect Ford, GM and other automakers from having to compete with BYD and other Chinese EV makers in the US, but they do little to protect them elsewhere.

EVinfo.net urges that all tariffs be rescinded, bringing back our strong economy that existed in January 2025. Unless we truly get our economy in order, America’s EV, ICE, and hybrid makers don’t have a chance to compete globally. That will mean less American jobs and economic growth.