BYD’s offensive in Europe continues. After arriving in Seal sedanthe Chinese manufacturer said Seal U SUV, also electric. Checked by us at the very beginning of 2024BYD has yet to set a final price for its family car. We now know the list prices for France. The cheapest version of BYD Seal U Comfort with a “small” battery 71.8 kWh offer 420 km autonomy and 218 hp begins with 41,890 euros. Another version is called ” Design »with the same engine but with a bigger battery 87 kW/h allowing 500 km in the WLTP cycle, available from 45,390 euros. It was this latest version that we were able to test on Portuguese roads in January. If autonomy were sufficiently compelling and consumption controlled (17.8 kWh per 100 km recorded on our on-board computer), this dynamic behavior who catches fish On the other hand, in normal driving, the Seal U remains an SUV comfortable, spacious and rightly so team. The only problem is her current production location. The model, like the rest of the model range, is still assembled in China in Shenzhenopening by 2025 of its production site in Hungary (city of Szeged). Being built outside of Europe, the Seal U avoids this current bonus 4000 euros. A definite disadvantage as competition in the 100% electric family SUV segment intensifies.

What competition does the BYD Seal U face?

If BYD is not eligible for the €4,000 bonus, this is not the case for its direct competitor, the Tesla Model Y. Made in Gigafactory near Berlin in Germany, the number 1 electric SUV is still available for 38,990 euros, a difference of 2,900 euros from the Chinese model. On the other hand, this price gap will surely narrow by March 22. According to the Tesla X account, the prices of the model in Europe will start to rise again, with an increase of approximately 2,000 euros. The Model Y will therefore cost from €40,990 minus the bonus, which is only a €900 difference from the Seal U. In the table below you can compare the various current models with their updated prices (before the increase on March 22 for Tesla).