BYD will officially launch some of its most popular EVs in another overseas market in just a few weeks. The Chinese EV giant is now looking to break into South Korea, a market dominated by automakers like Hyundai. Can BYD’s low-cost EVs break Hyundai’s grip in the region?
BYD will launch EVs in South Korea in January 2025
After another record sales month in November, its second with over 500,000 vehicle sales, BYD is making a strong push overseas to drive growth.
BYD is already a leading EV brand in many overseas regions, such as Southeast Asia and Central and South America. Now, it aims to increase its global market share even further.
China’s largest automaker expects sales to quickly accelerate in places like Europe with EVs tailored to customer preferences, like its new Sealion 07 mid-size electric SUV. It’s also starting to break into Toyota’s home market in Japan.
Most recently, BYD confirmed plans to challenge Hyundai on its home turf. On January 16, 2025, BYD will officially launch some of its most popular EVs in South Korea, including the Dolphin, Atto 3, and Seal.
BYD Atto 3 (left) and Dolphin (right) EVs in Japan (Source: BYD)
According to Chinese media outlet Yiche, BYD aims to sell 10,000 vehicles in South Korea next year. It will open 15 showrooms in high-traffic locations such as Seoul, Busan, and others.
Despite recent rumors, BYD denied plans to enter the Korean rental car market. The company will instead focus on growing its passenger car business.
BYD seal in Japan (Source: BYD)
BYD will face stiff competition from Hyundai and Kia, which are launching low-cost EVs of their own. In Korea, Hyundai’s Casper Electric starts at around $20,000 (27.4 million won). With incentives, it can be bought for as little as $7,300 (10 million won). Meanwhile, Kia’s electric EV3 SUV starts at around $30,000 (42.08 million won).
Hyundai Casper Electric/ Inster EV models (Source: Hyundai)
Can BYD match Hyundai and Kia? BYD’s EVs are some of the most affordable in China and abroad. Its cheapest, the Seagull EV (Dolphin Mini overseas), starts at under $10,000 in China.
However, in overseas markets, where it’s imported, the Seagull (Dolphin Mini) costs twice as much, at around $20,000 in Brazil and Mexico. The same is true of its Atto 3. BYD’s electric SUV starts at under $20,000, but in places like Germany, it’s priced at around $43,000.
Electrek’s Take
BYD is already finding some success in Japan, another market dominated by domestic players like Toyota. Through the first nine months of 2024, the company sold 1,742 EVs in Japan, up 96% from last year. BYD accounted for around 3% of Japan’s EV sales.
After launching the Seal in Japan, starting at $33,100 (¥5.28 million), BYD’s electric sedan was the top-selling EV import by August.
Other BYD EV models, including the Atto 3 and Dolphin, start at around $30,000 (¥4.4 million) and $24,500 (¥3.63 million), respectively. Prices are expected to be similar in South Korea.
Hyundai accounted for over 50% of auto sales in South Korea last year. Kia accounted for around 39%. Will BYD gain a foothold? Let us know your thoughts below.
The BYD “Shenzhen” set sail on its first voyage overseas this week. With 9,200 parking spots, or about enough to fill 20 football fields, BYD’s new car transport ship is now the world’s largest.
BYD’s largest car carrier sets sail for Brazil
BYD’s Shenzhen is on its maiden voyage to Brazil after setting sail on April 27. The vessel is carrying over 7,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs), including electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). It’s the largest single batch of NEVs exported from China so far.
The new vessel is BYD’s fourth car transport ship and the world’s largest, capable of carrying 9,000 vehicles. According to the company, that’s enough to fill about 20 football fields.
BYD launched its first car carrier, the Explorer No 1, in January 2024. It has already completed several trips to Germany, Spain, and Brazil.
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Its second, the BYD Changzhou, set sail in December 2024, followed by the Hefei earlier this year. All three vessels can carry up to 7,000 vehicles, making the Shenzhen the largest so far.
BYD Shenzhen, the world’s largest car transport ship (Source: BYD)
The Shenzhen is named after the automaker’s hometown and demonstrates “BYD’s firm determination to promote sustainable development in Brazil.”
BYD is preparing to launch two more vessels, the Changsha and Xi’an. The Changsha is expected to launch soon, while the Xi’an was introduced on April 2.
The new car carriers will help accelerate BYD’s aggressive overseas expansion. In the first three months of 2025, the company sold over 206,000 NEVs overseas, more than double the number it sold last year.
BYD sells a wide range of vehicles in Brazil, including the low-cost Dolphin Mini, starting at around $20,000 (99,800 BRL). In October, it launched its first hybrid pickup truck, the Shark, starting at 379,800 BTL ($66,900).
Brazil is only one overseas market that BYD is targeting. BYD’s sales are expected to double in Europe in 2025, with significant growth in other key regions like Southeast Asia, Japan, Mexico, and South Korea, to name a few.
‘Tesla homes’ in a Houston neighborhood where all the homes have Tesla solar roofs and Powerwalls went for sale.
7 out of the 11 homes have reportedly already sold.
Tesla neighborhood is a term that is being used for new developments where all the homes integrate all or part of Tesla’s power ecosystem, including the Powerwall home battery pack.
The best example is a giant new development project in Austin, Texas, by Brookfield Asset Management and Dacra in which up to 12,000 new homes are to be built and offering Tesla solar roofs and Powerwalls.
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However, since the announcement, it looks like only some of the homes in the new neighborhood have Tesla energy systems.
One such ‘Tesla neighborhood’ is a small block of 11 townhouse homes featuring Tesla solar roofs and Powerwalls in Houston, Texas.
The homes were recently completed and went on sale, starting at $544,900.
Here are some pictures from the listings:
Utopia Homes, the developer behind the project, described the properties (via Chron):
Step into modern elegance expertly crafted by Utopia Homes. This property showcases groundbreaking Tesla Solar Roof Shingles and Power Wall technology, ensuring 100% energy security and eliminating electric bills for a truly sustainable lifestyle.
The house has proved popular according to the real estate agents, with 7 out of 11 homes already sold.
Tesla has largely stopped discussing it, but it is still being deployed through some third-party installers, such as in this case, on new homes.
However, its Powerwall product remains a very popular solution for homeowners seeking greater energy independence and protection against outages, which have been a frequent problem in Texas.
More homeowners are turning to generators, and alternatives like home battery packs are gaining popularity.
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Canadian electric propulsion specialist Vision Marine continues to graduate beyond advanced outboard motors into a provider of all-electric boats. This month, Vision introduced two new electric pontoon boats – the 12-passenger V24 and 15-passenger V30, each capable of a range up to 90 nautical miles.
Vision Marine Technologies ($VMAR) is a Canadian technology company with over 25 years of experience in the marine industry. The company made waves (literally) by introducing its E-Motion turnkey powertrain system, which it has since integrated into a catamaran speedboat, which set a speed record of 109 mph in 2022.
Since then, Vision has introduced six hp two-cruiser vessels – the Fantail 217 and Volt 180, each capable of transporting 10 passengers via its E-Motion technology. Most recently, Vision Marine has integrated the full power of its 180 hp electric powertrain technology into two additional vessels, both electric pontoon boats.
Earlier this month, the company officially began sales of the Vision V24 and V30, which you can view below.
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The V24 Electric Pontoon Boat / Source: Vision Marine
The V30 / Source: Vision Marine
Vision Marine brings power and range to electric pontoons
According to Vision Marine Technologies, orders for its two new electric pontoon boats are now open, and they are touting the same E-Motion technology that put the company on the map a few years ago.
The first model is the V24, a 12-passenger electric pontoon that is 24′ 8″ in length and has 180 hp. The ultra-quiet E-Motion powertrain is powered by a standard 43 kWh marine battery pack, offering 40 nautical miles (46 miles) of all-electric range on a single charge. For added range, Vision sells a version of the electric pontoon with a second battery pack, totaling 86 kWh and delivering up to 90 nautical miles (104 miles) of range.
While the V24 offers more of a classic attempt at the pontoon boat, Vision’s additional new vessel, the all-electric V30, is a tad sportier and provides room for more passengers aboard (15). This 30′ vessel features the same E-Motion powertrain options, complete with the same two battery configurations to offer the same ranges as the V24.
However, the V30 has additional features such as 4 x 6.5″ interior speakers and cool-touch seats. Both models feature an integrated onboard charger that supports both 120- 240V (30 to 50 amps) for seamless charging, no matter the dock plug while moored.
The Vision V24 starts at $99,995 for the standard battery pack version, while the V30 starts at a higher price of $139,995. As previously mentioned, both electric pontoon boats are available to order today.
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