The electric car at the price of the fuel car is the argument of BYD, a Chinese manufacturer which is progressing steadily in Belgium. It overtook Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Honda in our country.
Chinese brands are struggling in Europe. But BYD is charting its course. The Chinese manufacturer finally takes off in Belgiumwith 2,304 registrations from January to November, compared to 510 last year, its first year on the market (data from January to November), surpassing Jaguar, Jeep, Honda. Almost only with electric cars (Atto3, Seal, etc.). It still appears in a modest place, 27th, “we hope to arrive in the top 10” hopes Joris Clavie, the managing director of the BYD brand in Belgium and Luxembourg.
European taxes are not passed on
BYD is certainly a big brand in China, which exceeded Tesla’s revenues in the third quarter, it remains little known in Belgium. The recent surcharges imposed by the European Union do not seem to disturb it, because car prices will not be changed. “ In any case, it is a transitional problem, at the end of 2025, BYD will manufacture cars in Hungary, in the European Union » adds Joris Clavie.
BYD’s European CEO, Michael Shu, announced Automotive News Europe want to produce 150,000 cars per year in Hungary, a figure which could be doubled depending on demand. It is banking on a market share of 5% of electric sales before the factory opened.
An electric car at the price of a fuel car
The brand puts forward two arguments to convince the European public: price and technology. “The Dolphin arrives on the market with a price at the level of a fuel car, at 29,990 euros, with 427 km of autonomy, with all options included” continues the Belgian manager. This model has the format of a VW Golf, a VW ID.3, a Renault Megane (electric or gasoline) or a Toyota Corolla. It was announced at the beginning of the year but is in the delivery phase. This will be BYD’s workhorse at the Auto Show next January.
BYD hopes to be able to push the electric car to individuals. The importer also promises a European announcement, probably of a slightly smaller model (we’ll see). The Seal, a competitor to the Tesla Model 3, sells for 41,500 euros.
A champion of LFP batteries, which have become very trendy
For technology, BYD highlights its particularity: it’s a battery manufacturer. It has developed a cobalt-free battery technology, LFP (lithium iron phosphate), cheaper and safer, which European manufacturers are beginning to adopt late, almost in panic, for their entry-level models. He designed a battery arranged in blades. His advance is recognized. It sells its batteries to competitors like Tesla, for its entry-level products, to Toyota or Ford.
These LFP batteries are also supposed to last longer than the batteries used until now (NMC, lithium nickel manganese cobalt), up to a million kilometersand are guaranteed by BYD for 200,000 km or 8 years.
Sold mainly to businesses
So far, BYD mainly affects, in Belgium, a business clientelewhere the electric car has become almost obligatory to benefit from the advantageous tax framework of the company car. Only 25% of BYD customers are individuals. The best-selling models currently are the Seal and Seal U, in the format of Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y. The Seal U is available in a hybrid version.
BYD poses a potential problem for European manufacturers, many of whom are experiencing difficult times. The latter have the advantage of offering well-known and reassuring brands, and of having complete ranges.. However, you have to get up early to compete, in people’s minds, with the premium German locomotives, the BMW, Audi or Mercedes, targeted by the big BYD models.
No sales online, but in dealerships
BYD does not itself ensure import into Belgium. This is the business of Inchcape, a British group which also imports Toyota into Belgium. “These are two distinct networks” assures Joris Clavie. One of the priority efforts is to densify the network, which will increase from 9 to 18 points of sale, which remains few compared to Renault or other general brands. There is a beginning to everything.
This approach shows that the Chinese manufacturer is seeking to adapt to European habitswhere buyers prefer local dealerships.
