BYD Plants Its Flag in Europe with Factories, Hybrids and a 1000 kW Charging Pledge
At this year’s Munich motor show, BYD didn’t just show cars—it declared intent. The Chinese giant used the stage less for product debuts and more as a strategic manifesto: a new factory in Hungary, the promise of building its cheapest European EV locally, and a bold claim of charging technology that could deliver 400 kilometers in five minutes.
BYD vice president Stella Li confirmed that the Dolphin Surf, an A-segment electric hatchback, will be the first model to roll off the line at the upcoming Szeged plant. Production is slated to begin at the end of 2025 under the banner “Made in Europe for Europe.” The Dolphin Surf arrives buoyed by a fresh marketing win as well, having just secured a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
The company also underlined its commitment to “Dual Mode” hybrids. Munich marked the debut of the Seal 6 DM-i Touring—the brand’s first estate for Europe—touted with a combined range of up to 1300 kilometers. Next in line is the compact SUV Atto 2, further cementing BYD’s two-pronged approach: affordable small full EVs on one side and long-range plug-in hybrids on the other.
The most ambitious announcement came under the banner of “Flash Charging”: a claimed 1000 kW charging capability, theoretically good for 400 kilometers of range in just five minutes. BYD says 200 to 300 of these stations will appear across Europe by the second quarter of 2026. Given the current state of charging infrastructure, it reads more like a geopolitical statement than an engineering reality, but it certainly made for a crowd-pleasing headline.
BYD also used the occasion to unveil its European certified used-car programme. Under the “BYD Certified” label, pre-owned models will be sold with at least 90 percent battery capacity guaranteed, alongside warranties and service packages—a move that signals the brand’s intent to play the long game in the region.
By year’s end, BYD promises to offer 13 models in Europe, supported by more than 1000 dealerships, with plans to double that network in 2026. It’s an aggressive expansion that will test both the resilience of established European marques and the readiness of rival Asian brands to defend their ground. For now, Munich has made one thing unmistakably clear: BYD isn’t just visiting Europe, it’s settling in.
