BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has launched its Dolphin Surf model in Europe, marking its 10th model available in the region.

The vehicle was unveiled in Berlin on May 21, 2025, with prices starting at 22,990 euros (US$26,100) for a version with a 322-kilometer range and 24,990 euros (US$27,239) for a model with a 507-kilometer range.

Until the end of June, prices for the Dolphin Surf will be discounted, ranging from 19,990 to 24,990 euros (US$21,789 to US$27,239), according to BYD sales chief Patrick Schulz.

The launch highlights the growing competition in Europe’s EV market as automakers respond to increasing demand for affordable options.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ BYD’s European strategy reboot shows early success amid broader ambitions

BYD’s European launch of the Dolphin Surf comes after the company implemented significant strategic adjustments to address initial market challenges.

In 2024, BYD registered only 50,265 vehicles in Europe, capturing just 2.8% of the EV market despite ambitious goals to become Europe’s top electric brand by 20301.

The company has since expanded its dealer network, recruited executives from European automakers, and introduced hybrid vehicles to cater to markets with underdeveloped charging infrastructure2.

These changes have yielded immediate results, with BYD’s European sales quadrupling to 37,201 units in Q1 2025 alone, demonstrating the effectiveness of their localization efforts3.

The Dolphin Surf’s aggressive pricing strategy (€22,990-24,990) directly addresses European consumer concerns about EV affordability, which remains a primary barrier to adoption according to market research4.

This strategic pivot aligns with BYD’s global target of achieving 50% of its total vehicle sales from international markets by 2030, with plans to sell 800,000 units overseas in 2025 alone5.

2️⃣ The affordable EV segment emerges as Europe’s new competitive battleground

The launch of BYD’s Dolphin Surf highlights the growing importance of the sub-€25,000 price segment in Europe’s evolving electric vehicle market.

Currently, only a handful of models like the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 sell for under €20,000 in Europe, creating a significant gap in the affordable EV market that manufacturers are now racing to fill3.