China’s electric vehicle giant BYD plans to expand its plug-in hybrid offerings in Germany with the launch of two new models later this year, according to Maria Grazia Davino, the company’s regional chief for Germany and several Central European countries.
Speaking at the Reuters Automotive Conference in Stuttgart on Tuesday, Davino highlighted the need to diversify BYD’s product line to meet European consumer preferences. “Not everyone is ready for a fully electric vehicle,” she said. “We need alternative solutions to win over customers. Every month, we evaluate the best balance between customer demand and effective distribution.”
BYD, which overtook Tesla last year to become the world’s largest EV manufacturer, is currently revamping its European strategy after initial challenges—including limited dealership coverage, insufficient local expertise, and a product portfolio lacking plug-in hybrids—hindered sales.
To support this shift, BYD is establishing national sales companies across Europe. These local units will manage distribution, customer service, and region-specific marketing. “This localisation is a major investment,” said Davino, a former Stellantis executive. “You have to build everything from the ground up. It will take time.”
Currently, BYD offers just one plug-in hybrid in Europe—the Seal DM-i—which combines a battery-powered drivetrain with a small gasoline engine that recharges the battery and extends range. “Going forward, we will build around two core pillars: fully electric vehicles and our DM-i hybrid technology,” Davino explained.
Strategic Pivot Amid Market Pressures
Facing an overcrowded EV market and a price war in China, Chinese automakers like BYD are increasingly targeting European growth. To bypass tariffs on Chinese-made battery-electric vehicles, companies are pushing hybrid imports and fast-tracking plans to establish local assembly plants.
BYD’s European reset appears to be gaining traction. In the first quarter of 2025, its regional sales rose to over 37,000 vehicles, up from just 8,500 in the same period last year. In Germany, where sales dipped to under 2,900 units in 2024 from 4,139 the year before, the company is already showing signs of recovery. Between January and March 2025, over 1,200 new BYD vehicles were registered, according to Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
In addition to the two new plug-in hybrid models, BYD will also introduce the Dolphin Surf, an entry-level EV, to European markets this year. The company is further expanding its luxury brand, Denza, which debuted in Milan last month. More details are expected at BYD’s investor day on May 27.
“We’re committed to doing things right—not only in Germany, but across Europe,” Davino said. “We’re known for our speed, but we also want to ensure we grow in a sustainable and strategic way.”
