BYD takes on Tesla in North America with Seal electric sedan

China's automotive giant BYD just introduced its Seal electric sedan in Mexico, aiming to challenge Tesla's dominance in the country.

This addition marks the fifth BYD EV model available in North America, joining the Dolphin, Han sedan, Tang SUV, and Yuan Plus, which were launched earlier this year. The Seal is available in two versions: rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD).

The 2024 BYD Seal is built on e-platform 3.0 with the CTB (cell-to-body) technology that integrates the battery into the chassis. It offers two versions in Mexico: RWD and AWD, the latter boasting 523 horsepower and a rapid 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.8 seconds.

The RWD variant starts at 778,800 pesos ($44,600), while the AWD version is priced at 888,800 pesos ($51,000).

The Seal RWD is powered by a 150 kW rear motor and a 61.44 kWh LFP Blade battery, offering a commendable WLTP range of up to 286 miles. In comparison, the Tesla Model 3, its primary rival, starts at 881,900 pesos (around $50,500) and provides 396 miles of WLTP range. The AWD version of the Tesla Model 3 starts at 985,900 pesos (roughly $56,500), with a Performance variant priced at 1,154,900 pesos (about $66,100).

Previously, BYD expressed interest in building a manufacturing plant in Mexico, further underlining its commitment to the region.

Unlike many other Chinese EV manufacturers, BYD already sells and produces vehicles in the United States, including electric buses manufactured in California. The company's North American headquarters are located in Downtown Los Angeles.

The company set itself a sales target of 3 million units for 2023, and has pushed 2,683,374 vehicles between January and November. To meet its goal, the company needs to deliver about 320,000 units in December.

Via