2023 BYD Seal electric sedan: Australian launch pulled forward

The BYD Seal electric sedan’s Australian launch has been fast-tracked, with the Tesla Model 3 rival now due in less than two months, according to the local distributor.

The BYD Seal – a Tesla Model 3-sized electric sedan from China – is due to open for orders in Australia two months earlier than planned, with deliveries expected to begin before the end of the year according to the local importer.

While BYD’s local distributor, EVDirect, had previously announced orders for the Seal would open sometime between October and December 2023, it now says it has pulled the electric sedan’s launch forward to August 2023 – pending any delays.

“Over the next 12 months there’ll be another three models launched for the Australian market,” EVDirect CEO Luke Todd told media at the Australian launch of the BYD Dolphin.

“The next will be the BYD Seal – that will be launched around August (2023) or thereabouts. We’re just waiting on final confirmation.”

MORE: BYD Dolphin electric car delayed, due later this year alongside Seal sedan

In Europe, the BYD Seal is available in rear- and all-wheel-drive variants – producing 230kW and 390kW respectively – which are powered by an 82kWh battery pack, delivering a claimed driving range between 520km and 570km against WLTP testing.

For context, the Tesla Model 3’s driving range is between 491km (single-motor) and 547km to 602km (Long Range and Performance, respectively) – though Tesla does not provide power outputs.

When asked by Drive whether the Seal could undercut the Tesla Model 3’s price – which starts from $61,300 plus on-road costs – Mr Todd insisted they are “totally different cars” while hinting at a higher price point for the BYD.

“The BYD Seal is going to be competing against not just the Tesla Model 3, but the wider industry,” said Mr Todd.

“Pricing will be extremely competitive – unfortunately, I can’t reveal the prices yet – but we want to make sure it’s accessible for as many Australians as possible.

“We believe it’s going to be pitted against other luxury vehicles, not just the electric-vehicle competition.”

The BYD Seal will be the third car from the Chinese company to go on sale in Australia, following the arrival of the Atto 3 SUV in August 2022 and orders opening for the Dolphin hatchback later this week.

By the end of 2024, BYD plains to launch another two models in Australia – an as-yet unnamed electric ute and a large SUV.

Both the BYD ute and SUV are expected to arrive in Australia before July 2024, with both electric vehicles sharing the same platform under different body panels.

Chinese media outlets have reported the two models will be offered in their home market with a choice of either electric or plug-in hybrid hybrid – the latter of which will combine a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with two electric motors.

Figures quoted by BYD for its upcoming off-road SUV – codenamed ‘SF’ – claim this combination of petrol and electric power could produce more than 500kW, though there are no details yet about the electric-only model’s outputs.

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