BYD's Seal model. (source: TASR/AP )
In March, the Chinese car manufacturer launched a television campaign in Slovakia. In April, it has finally entered Slovakia with three models, two fully electric (Seal and Sealion 7) and one plug-in SUV hybrid (Seal U DM-i).
BYD unveiled them at an event held beneath Bratislava Castle on 4 April.
The manufacturer is planning a rapid expansion in Slovakia. The goal is to gradually open 20 sales and service points, with three in Bratislava, two in Košice and several more in other regional towns by the end of the year. The first one will open in Bratislava already in April. Thus, Slovakia is one of the 12 countries that BYD is planning to include in its portfolio throughout 2025.
What are the prices
Despite the EU tariffs, prices will remain competitive, though still significantly higher than in China. The Seal U DM-i hybrid model will be the cheapest, starting at €38,490. The Seal model will be available in two versions, the cheaper one with rear-wheel drive and a range of 570 kilometres will cost €45,690, the more powerful all-wheel drive version with a range of 520 kilometres will cost at least €50,790.
In its basic version, the flagship Sealion 7 will start at €47,690, the top-of-the-line version at €56,390 for this technological peak. That is quite bold for a basically unknown Chinese car. BYD wants to win customers over with a solid guarantee.
The manufacturer offers a six-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty on all vehicles. However, the warranty on the battery, electric motor and control electronics goes beyond that, up to eight years and 200,000 kilometres.
BYD is planning rapid expansion in Slovakia, starting with a dealership in Bratislava this month, followed by more in Košice, Trnava, Nitra, Žilina, and Banská Bystrica, aiming for 10 dealerships in total.
Challenger to Tesla
Denník N notes that concerns persist around Chinese car brands, as China’s national security law could require manufacturers to share vehicle data with the Chinese government. Such data could potentially be used for espionage and infrastructure mapping, among other things. When Denník N asked BYD representatives in Bratislava whether the data collected by the cars would be stored in China and whether the Chinese Communist government would have access to it, they were unable to answer.
Chinese cars are not new in Slovakia; models from the MG and Dongfeng brands have been sold in the country for a long time. However, BYD will be the biggest challenger to the American Tesla.
BYD is building a factory in Hungary, production expected to start in October this year. It plans to start another new factory in Turkey next year. The combined capacity of both factories will be 500,000 cars per year.
According to some rumours, the manufacturer wants to build another factory in Europe, with Germany being the most likely candidate.
