09:45 09-09-2025

BYD at IAA Munich: SEAL 6 DM-i Touring, EU-built Dolphin Surf, and a 300-site charging push

At the IAA Mobility show in Munich, BYD rolled out a series of bold moves. Center stage went to the SEAL 6 DM-i Touring, the brand’s first family-focused model for Europe with a hybrid powertrain and a combined range of more than 1,300 km. The car will also be offered as a sedan. If that figure carries over to everyday driving, it would go a long way toward easing long-distance worries.

No less attention went to the compact Dolphin Surf. It will be the first BYD built in Europe, at a plant in Szeged, Hungary—a decision that helps avoid European tariffs and strengthens the brand’s most affordable model, already a sales hit. The Dolphin Surf also earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating, underscoring a strong safety showing. Local production should sharpen price positioning where it matters most.

Next comes the Atto 2 with BYD’s DM-i hybrid technology, a move set to push the brand into the segment of budget-friendly plug-in crossovers. The company also confirmed plans for an ultrafast charging network: up to 300 sites in Europe by mid-2026, with output that could approach the 1 MW levels seen in China. It’s an ambitious push; if realized, those figures would be hard to ignore.

Beyond that, the brand is launching a certified pre-owned program. Cars will undergo a 179-point inspection and be sold with a warranty, a verified battery state of health, and added service benefits—pragmatic steps that should build confidence in used cars.

BYD’s strategy is plain to see: focus on mass-market, low-cost vehicles that pose a genuine threat to European brands. Starting Dolphin Surf production in Europe looks like a move that could prove a turning point for the entire market.