BYD is preparing the launch of the Dolphin G for June, a plug-in hybrid compact car tailored to the European market. Stella Li, a high-ranking executive of the firm, has been clear: if they don't get the right car for this region, they will miss the boat. The model steps out of its comfort zone, as in China, compacts do not have the same appeal as sedans or SUVs.
The technical move to take on European compacts 🚗
The Dolphin G uses BYD's DM-i hybrid platform, combining a gasoline engine with an electric one to offer an electric range of around 80 kilometers. It is expected to measure about 4.1 meters, positioning it between the Toyota Yaris and the Renault Clio. The strategy revolves around a competitive price and a ZERO emissions label, two strong arguments to convince a European customer accustomed to more traditional models.
The Chinese dilemma: building a small car for a continent that is not its home 🌍
For BYD, designing a compact car for Europe is like asking a sushi chef to make a paella: it might turn out well, but the process is not natural. In China, small cars sell like hotcakes, while here they are the daily bread. Stella Li knows that if the Dolphin G doesn't convince, BYD's European dream will remain just a simple Dolphin, but without the sea.