BYD introduces its cheapest car in Africa

From the newsletter

Chinese EV manufacturer BYD has introduced the Seagull, its cheapest car in Africa for the first time. Launched in Morocco last week, it is the carmaker’s sixth model in the North African country where it sells the Han, Tang, Atto 3, Seal and Seal U models. The Seagull is available in two versions, offering either 230 km or 300 km of driving range.  

• The Seagull is being sold for $21,887 in Morocco, more than double the $10,000 price tag the car has in China where it is made. That notwithstanding, it is nearly half the price of the BYD Atto 3 which costs $42,648. 

• Referred to as the Dolphin Mini in some markets, the Seagull is set to make a splash in Africa this year as BYD plans to introduce it in several markets on the continent. The most prominent market is South Africa, where the carmaker plans to launch the vehicle this year.  

More details 

• BYD seeks to capture a significant portion of Africa’s growing EV market, particularly in the realm of affordable urban mobility, through the Seagull (Dolphin Mini). The Seagull is designed as a compact, city-friendly EV, catering to the needs of urban dwellers seeking efficient and cost-effective transportation.

• The Seagull also supports DC fast charging, allowing the battery to charge up to 80% in 30 minutes. The model is available in three colors— delan black, beige white, and wind grass green. 

• BYD has been rapidly expanding its range of models to cater to various market segments, including budget cars, high-performance vehicles, family cars, and commercial vehicles. 

• For example, the BYD T3 van is priced at $41,605, while the BYD Han is the company’s most expensive model in Morocco at $80,187, followed by the BYD Tang at $73,931. This year, BYD is also set to unveil the Han L saloon and the Tang L SUV, both equipped with technology compatible with its 1 MW charger.

• The Seagull, a five-door hatchback, will sell for between $20,000 and $25,000 in most markets in Africa when it launches. This price tag is within the range of new popular fuel hatchbacks such the Toyota Corolla Hatchback. This price parity with fuel-powered equivalents is likely to make it a popular choice on the continent. 

• BYD is the world’s second-largest EV manufacturer having produced 1.76 million vehicles in 2024, only behind Tesla, which made 1.79 million units. But BYD is ramping up production of entry-level models like the Seagull, which will make it easier for people in Africa to afford EVs. Most EVs sold in Africa are imported from China. 

• The Chinese carmaker’s other budget cars include the BYD Dolphin, a compact EV with a range of up to 405 km and a starting price of around $13,900. The BYD Qin Plus, a sedan designed to compete with traditional fuel-powered cars, is priced at about $15,200. Meanwhile, the price of the BYD Qin L, a midsize electric sedan with a range of up to 545 km, starts at $16,500. 

Our take

• BYD is expanding its factory in Zhengzhou, China to produce 1 million vehicles annually. In addition to other factories it is building across the world, the number of cheap EVs entering the global supply is set to rise sharply, and when you add supply from other major manufacturers, this will drive down prices. 

• Lower-priced EVs like the Seagull make them accessible to a broader range of consumers, especially in Africa where disposable incomes are limited. This will encourage more people to transition from used fuel vehicles to new EVs. 

• The reliability of cheap electric cars in Africa’s rough terrain, coupled with the frequent use of cars to carry heavy loads, needs to be tested. In the two-wheeler segment, we have seen imported electric motorcycles fail quickly when put to the test in challenging conditions in parts of the continent.