BYD Dolphin G DM-i Exports Hit 12K in July, Becoming the Lineup’s Main Driver

BYD’s Dolphin family exported 20K units in July. The Dolphin G DM-i accounted for about 12K units, up ~33.3% month-over-month, while the all-electric Dolphin contributed 8,560 units.

Since the start of this year, cumulative exports of the Dolphin family have exceeded 100K units, making the lineup one of BYD’s key growth drivers in overseas markets.

The Dolphin G DM-i made its European debut in May before officially entering markets in June. It is BYD’s first DM-i plug-in hybrid model developed specifically for overseas markets, especially Europe.

The Dolphin G adopts a hatchback body style. It measures 4,160 mm in length, 1,825 mm in width and 1,575 mm in height, with a 2,610 mm wheelbase. Compared with the China-spec all-electric Dolphin, the overseas DM-i model features a shorter body and wider stance.

The model uses BYD’s DM-i hybrid technology, combining a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine with a front-mounted electric motor. Two power configurations are available.

The entry version delivers a combined system output of 129 kW, paired with a 7.42 kWh Blade Battery. It offers around 40 km of WLTP pure-electric range. The higher-spec version produces 156 kW, equipped with an 18.3 kWh battery pack. It provides 105 km of WLTP electric range, over 1,000 km of combined range and fuel consumption as low as 3.8 L/100 km with a depleted battery.

In Europe, the Dolphin G DM-i starts at €23,990 ($27.7K). The model starts at €23,990 in France and Italy, while Spain prices begin at €25,200 ($29.1K). Germany sees the highest pricing at €28,990 ($33.5K). In the UK, the model starts at £23,990 ($33.1K).

Compared with traditional gasoline-powered compact cars, the Dolphin G DM-i offers lower ownership costs and stronger intelligent features.

The launch also fills a gap in BYD’s European plug-in hybrid hatchback lineup. The model directly targets rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf and Renault Clio, entering a segment long dominated by traditional combustion-engine vehicles.

The all-electric Dolphin entered overseas markets earlier in 2023, expanding into Thailand, Brazil, Australia and Europe. Brazil has become one of the Dolphin’s key overseas markets.

In July, Dolphin deliveries in Brazil exceeded 6K units, ranking among the country’s top 10 best-selling vehicles for the month. The model has become an important player in Brazil’s fast-growing new energy vehicle market.

Over the past few years, BYD mainly relied on pure-electric models to enter overseas markets. As consumer demand varies across regions, the company is now expanding its global lineup through pure EVs, plug-in hybrids and hybrid technologies.

Latest data showed BYD sold 411,072 passenger vehicles in July. Overseas passenger vehicle sales reached 179,841 units, up 124.3% year over year. From January to July, BYD’s overseas passenger vehicle sales reached around 970K units.

BYD sold 233,105 battery-electric vehicles and 177,967 plug-in hybrids in July, marking the third consecutive month that BEV sales exceeded PHEV sales. Cumulatively from January to July, BYD sold 1,100,584 BEVs and 1,087,863 PHEVs.