BYD is readying a low-cost, pint-sized hatchback called the Dolphin Surf – which is to be launched in the UK later this year.
The highly ambitious Chinese car brand is hoping to compete with the likes of Dacia and Fiat with the release – which will be among cheapest available to buy from new.
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In China, where it costs the equivalent of around £8,000, the model is known as the Seagull – keeping with the ocean theme, like the Seal and the Sealion.
However, the little EV will be made more sophisticated for its launch in Europe and the UK – which includes upgraded safety tech – hence the name change.
According to Autocar, the Dolphin Surf will be priced at less than £20,000, meaning it will undercut the likes of the Fiat Grande Panda and Citroen e-C3.
However, the Dacia Spring will likely remain the cheapest option in the UK at £15,000.
BYD’s executive vice-president, Stella Li, added that while the Dolphin Surf might not be the cheapest on sale, it would offer the best value.
The upcoming release comes as BYD looks to establish itself as a major player in the global car market – with the lofty goal of becoming the world’s largest car maker.
The UK is seen as a key market for its success, with BYD’s brand awareness increasing from 1% at the start of 2024 to 31% by the end of the year.
Their UK country manager, Bono Ge, said BYD would increase its number of dealers from 62 to 120 by the end of the year, with a target of 150 to 170 in the longer term, similar to those of Ford and Vauxhall.
Before the Dolphin Surf, they’re set to release the Sealion 7 – the seventh model in BYD’s UK range and their sixth EV.
This comes as the world’s most famous hatchback, the Volkswagen Golf, is set for its ninth-generation model in 2028, according to the company’s design chief.
The Mk9 model will be the first to feature a bold new software system, developed through VW’s joint venture with US brand Rivian.
But perhaps the most noticeable change to the much-loved motor – which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year – will be its nameplate, as it is set to be called the ID Golf.
Elsewhere, Audi is set to axe the incredibly popular A1 and Q2 models next year – with an EV lined up as its replacement.
Both cars, which are big sellers for the German brand – especially the A1 hatchback – are also the two cheapest among their range.
But reports suggest they’ve each reached the end of the road with Audi ready to launch a new entry-level electric car as an indirect replacement.
Claimed to sit beneath the top selling Audi Q4 e-tron, the upcoming EV will serve as an alternative to the A3 hatchback and Q3 crossover.
It is also the smallest electric car in Audi’s product plan.
The rise of BYD
Chinese powerhouse BYD, which stands for “Build Your Dreams,” a slogan the company adopted in 2008, is towering above their competition in the EV market in 2025.
Sure, Tesla are still the biggest and the loudest, but their influence is waning across the globe – thanks, in no small part, to CEO Elon Musk’s decision to throw his weight around in US politics.
Indeed, in recent years, BYD has been one of the largest EV manufacturers in the world, regularly competing with Tesla for the top spot in global EV sales and, in 2023, even surpassed Tesla in total EV sales.
The key to BYD’s success has been their integration strategy – as they design and manufacture their own batteries, semiconductors, and other critical components, reducing reliance on third-party suppliers.
They have also been aggressively expanding, with their presence felt across Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and even the US. Remember those adverts during the European Championships last summer?
While they still face stiff competition from the likes of Tesla, as well as other, legacy brands and emerging EV brands, BYD’s strategy positions itself as one of the dominant forces in the industry.
