BYD, a leading player in China’s electric vehicle industry, has unveiled its latest offering, the Seal 06 DM-i plug-in hybrid. The new model, which boasts a remarkable combined range of 2,100 kilometers (1,335 miles) on a full tank and battery charge, is set to intensify competition in the mid-size sedan segment. With a starting price of 119,800 yuan ($16,500), the Seal 06 DM-i is poised to challenge both international and domestic rivals, including Tesla’s Model 3 and Geely’s offerings.
Seal 06 DM-i Specifications
The Seal 06 DM-i is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, an 18.3 kWh Blade Battery, and dual electric motors, producing a total output of 240 kW (329 hp). This powertrain enables the vehicle to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, according to BYD’s technical specifications. The vehicle’s impressive range is split between 1,030 km on electric-only mode and an additional 1,070 km provided by the hybrid system, as reported by the China Automotive Review.
Measuring 4,780 mm in length and 1,870 mm in width, the Seal 06 DM-i comes equipped with advanced ADAS, including LiDAR for Level 2+ autonomy, as detailed by Sina Auto.
Achieving the 1,335-Mile Range
The Seal 06 DM-i’s impressive range is largely due to BYD’s DM-i hybrid technology, which integrates a super-efficient Atkinson-cycle engine with a thermal efficiency of 43.04% and the e-platform 3.0 for seamless gas-electric switching, as explained in a BYD engineering report. The vehicle’s fuel economy is rated at 3.9 L/100 km combined, dropping to 2.9 L/100 km at highway speeds, according to Autohome’s testing.
The vehicle’s 18.3 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, which provides a pure EV range of 400 km, is paired with a 65-liter fuel tank to enable the extended range, as analyzed by EV Magazine.
Pricing and Variants
The Seal 06 DM-i is available in several trim levels, with the base Glory Edition priced at 119,800 yuan and offering a range of 1,760 km. The Premium Edition, priced at 155,800 yuan, offers a range of 2,100 km and enhanced interiors, according to BYD’s pricing announcement. Notably, the Seal 06 DM-i undercuts the starting price of Tesla’s Model 3, while matching features such as a panoramic sunroof and a 15.6-inch rotatable screen, as noted by Reuters.
The vehicle is also eligible for China’s NEV subsidies, which can reach up to 10,000 yuan, making it more accessible in major cities like Shenzhen and Beijing, as per the Government EV policy.
BYD’s Competitive Edge in Hybrids
The Seal 06 DM-i surpasses the range of Geely’s Xingyue L Emgrand hybrid and challenges the efficiency claims of Chery’s Tiggo 8 Pro, as reported by China Daily. The vehicle is also slated for export to Europe and Southeast Asia markets in 2025, adapting to local emissions standards, according to a Bloomberg supply chain report.
The vehicle is produced at BYD’s Shenzhen factory, which has an annual capacity of 500,000 units. This scale of production, coupled with BYD’s vertical integration strategy, allows the company to control costs effectively, as noted by Supply Chain Dive.
Rivalry with Tesla and Global Players
The Seal 06 DM-i is positioned to compete directly with Tesla’s Model 3, offering a lower price and the flexibility of a hybrid system. This could appeal to potential Tesla buyers who are concerned about range limitations in regions with sparse charging infrastructure, as analyzed by Electrek. In fact, BYD outsold Tesla in China in the third quarter of 2024, with 1.3 million units sold, leveraging its hybrid offerings to counter the slowdown in pure EV sales, according to CNN Business.
While U.S. tariffs on 100% EVs have blocked BYD’s direct entry into the market, the company’s hybrid offerings, such as the Seal 06, could allow it to establish assembly operations in Mexico to circumvent these duties, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Industry Implications and Future Outlook
Hybrids accounted for 40% of China’s NEV sales in 2024, with BYD holding a 35% share of this market through its DM-i lineup, according to an ICCT report. “The Seal 06 redefines long-range mobility without infrastructure dependence,” said Wang Chuanfu, BYD chairman, at the launch event, as quoted by Xinhua.
Looking ahead, BYD aims to achieve annual sales of 5 million units by 2025, and plans to expand its hybrid technology to SUVs like the Song Plus DM-i, as projected by Forbes.
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