BYD registered 3,025 vehicles in the UK last month, posting a 407.6% soar year over year, national data showed on Thursday.
The figures, shared from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), showed a sequential increase of 20.5% from the 2,511 vehicles sold in April, when the brand reached 10,000 sales in the British market year to date.
BYD, which sells both battery electric vehicles (BEV) and hybrid models (HEV), expanded to the UK in 2023.
From January 1 to May 31, the brand’s sales were 570.9% higher compared to the first five months of 2024.
BYD launched its first passenger vehicle in the country in March 2023, the fully electric Atto 3 SUV, which is currently sold from £37,705 (nearly $51,000).
The brand’s lineup includes battery electric vehicles (BEV) and one plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model — the Seal U DM-i SUV, priced at £33,315 ($45,000).
The company launched the Sealion 7 SUV in late 2024, which is available in the UK from £47,000 ($63,500). The only sedan offered in the lineup is the Seal, starting at £45,705 ($61,800).
The city compact Dolphin was BYD‘s cheapest model in the lineup, with prices beginning at £26,205 ($35,400).
The brand is offering a 0% interest rate on purchases of the Dolphin compact, the Seal (both BEV and PHEV versions) and the Atto 3 and Sealion 7 SUVs.
Last month, the brand launched the Dolphin Surf across Europe. Production for EU markets will begin later this year at the company’s new plant in Hungary, where it is also establishing its European headquarters.
The recently launched Atto 2 SUV, specifically designed for European markets and which the brand is calling its “most accessible SUV”, is set to arrive in the UK in the summer.
BYD‘s registrations in Germany soared 824% year over year in May to more than 1,850 vehicles.
In the Dutch market, sales surged 44.7% in May to 317 vehicles. In Sweden, the brand recorded 76 vehicles, a jump of 52% year over year.
BYD delivered 382,476 vehicles in May, from which 89,047 were overseas deliveries — a 137.5% growth from May 2024 and a new record-high in international sales for the sixth consecutive month.
UK NEV Sales
BYD leads sales in the island when it comes to new energy vehicle (NEV) brands. It is followed by Tesla, which sold 2,016 units in May — a 36.0% drop.
The Shenzen-based brand outperformed the Elon Musk-led brand in UK sales for the first time in January.
Geely-backed Polestar registered 1,174 vehicles in May, surging 273.9% in comparison to May 2024. XPeng, which entered the market in February, listed 6 units — totaling 51 vehicles sold year to date.
Volkswagen remained UK’s best-selling brand with 13,562 vehicles sold last month. The Ford Puma was the best-selling model, surpassing the Kia Sportage.
The U.S. brand’s hybrid SUV accounted for 3,695 vehicles, while Kia‘s model, which is available both as a BEV and a PHEV, accounted for 3,256 units.
In the UK, 150,070 vehicles were sold last month, from which 32,738 were BEVs.
Fully electric vehicles represented 21.8% of the total vehicle sales — one in each five cars sold in the British market.
Hybrid models, including PHEVs, accounted for 25.5% of the market with 38,249 units.
Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles were the preferred consumer choice, with a 47% market share. However, petrol vehicle sales fell 12.5% year over year.
