BYD said it received 10,000 orders just 24 hours after introducing the A-class hatchback called Seagull at the Shanghai automobile exhibition in late April. Observers think Seagull could become the bestselling EV of the year in China, surpassing Hongguang Mini EV.

In addition to eye-catching paint colors which attract youth, the advantage of Seagull, like many other Chinese EV models, is the surprisingly low price.

The starting price of the new model is just $11,400, or VND270 million, which is believed to be the major reason behind the sales boom.

This is the cheapest EV model of BYD, a portion of key product series of the automobile manufacturers, which comprises Ocean, Dolphin (hatchback), Seal (sedan) and Seagull.

Seagull has caught the attention of Vietnamese as it has the size and battery capacity nearly the same as Vietnam’s VinFast VF 5.

Both car models have great advantages – competitive in prices, modern in design, delicate in style, and they are small and compact, suitable for family use.

In terms of size and wheelbase, the difference between VinFast VF 5 and BYD Seagull is insignificant.

Regarding the maximum operating sphere, the upgraded Seagull version with 38kW/h electric motor can travel up to 405 kilometers, while the 37.23kW/h electric motor VF 5 version can operate more than 300 kilometers, the same with Seagull’s basic version. 

Both versions of Seagull are equipped with a high-capacity fast charging system, with 80 percent of battery charged after 30 minutes. Meanwhile, with a fast-charging system, VinFast VF 5 can raise the battery capacity from 10 percent to 70 percent after 30 minutes. 

Both Seagull and VF 5 are small-size EV suitable to the majority of urbanites, which can satisfy the two requirements – cheap and beautiful. However, BYD and VinFast target different markets.

BYD has become the second strongest EV manufacturer in the world, after Tesla, but it targets the European market, where Chinese EVs are welcomed. Meanwhile, VinFast’s key market is North America.

The US, in the near future, is not the target market for BYD, which needs some more time to survey the market. Meanwhile, VinFast has run ad campaigns, delivered the first export consignments, begun building factories and preparing for IPO.

VinFast doesn’t intend to enter the Chinese market, the home market of BYD. IT puts high hopes in the home market, Vietnam. VinFast VF 5, with the prices of VND450-540 million, is now the cheapest EV.

Hoang Hiep