BYD Dolphin Mini, The Automotive the US Will By no means Have, Secures World City Automotive Award

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BYD had already been nominated twice to the World Automotive Awards. This 12 months, it occurred: BYD turned the primary Chinese language automaker to clinch a prestigious World Automotive Award.

The highlight shone on the BYD Seagull (additionally identified elsewhere because the Dolphin Mini) because it was introduced because the 2025 World City Automotive on the New York Worldwide Auto Present. This win meant the BYD Seagull edged out 11 different opponents from around the globe, not solely a transparent signal of the rising power of the Chinese language electrical automobile (EV) market, but additionally an enormous loss for the North American market (significantly the US) which has been shunning electrical automobiles from China.

What struck the panel of 96 veteran automotive journalists was the BYD Seagull’s revolutionary “Ocean Aesthetics” design, coupled with its excessive security requirements and superior good driving options. The automobile has additionally earned worldwide acclaim and is persistently a top-seller in a number of main markets.

Why the Seagull Flew Excessive

The BYD Seagull emerged victorious in opposition to an preliminary pool of 12 contenders for the World City Automotive award, in the end surpassing the Hyundai Inster/Casper Electrical (final 12 months’s winner) and the Mini Cooper Electrical, which made up the ultimate shortlist. To be eligible, autos wanted to be accessible in a minimum of two main markets throughout two continents, have an annual manufacturing exceeding 5,000 items, and measure not more than 4.25 meters. The Seagull met all these standards to say the highest honor.

This win marks one other vital achievement for BYD inside the World Automotive Awards. Simply final 12 months, the BYD Dolphin was a high 3 finalist in the identical class, whereas the BYD Seal obtained a nomination for World Automotive of the 12 months.

Not within the US

Accessible first in China, the Seagull’s autonomous driving model now has a beginning worth of 69,800 yuan (roughly $9,540 USD) earlier than subsidies. If it could hurdle laws within the Center East, Australia, and even Canada, the automobile shall be made accessible to these markets. It can most certainly, a minimum of whereas the Trump administration nonetheless holds energy, by no means be accessible within the US.

The compact EV measures 3,780 mm in size, 1,715 mm in width, and 1,540 mm in peak, with a wheelbase of two,500 mm. It’s powered by a front-mounted 55 kW (74 hp) electrical motor. Patrons have the choice of two lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs: a 30.1 kWh unit offering a 305 km (CLTC) vary, or a bigger 38.9 kWh model providing 405 km (CLTC) of vary. The Seagull additionally options quick charging capabilities, a 12.8-inch infotainment show, heated entrance seats, and USB fast-charging ports. Normal security options embody autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warnings.

The newest 2025 Seagull introduces superior driver-assistance options to the entry-level EV market, together with freeway autopilot, reminiscence navigation, and automatic parking, exceeding typical Degree 2 autonomy. Its DiPilot 100 system makes use of a complete array of twelve cameras, 5 radars, and twelve ultrasonic sensors.

Receiving the Award, Stella Li

From the stage, Stella Li, BYD’s Govt Vice President, conveyed the corporate’s immense pleasure and honor. She emphasised that this award displays BYD’s ongoing dedication to sustainable applied sciences and glorious customer support globally. Li additionally reiterated their dedication to dashing up the shift to inexperienced mobility and contributing to worldwide environmental efforts.

This victory provides to BYD’s rising presence and recognition on the World Automotive Awards. Simply final 12 months, in 2024, the BYD Dolphin was a top-three finalist for the World City Automotive award, and the BYD Seal was a finalist within the extremely aggressive “World Automotive of the 12 months” class. These earlier nominations already highlighted BYD’s rising affect and innovation within the world automotive scene.

The success of the BYD Seagull seemingly comes all the way down to its compelling design, which, with its “Ocean Aesthetics” philosophy, provides a very recent and vibrant look. Its dedication to excessive security requirements and the inclusion of good driving applied sciences have clearly struck a chord with each patrons and business specialists. Plus, its sturdy world gross sales numbers actually cement its place as a frontrunner within the city EV class.

This historic win for BYD looks like an actual turning level for the Chinese language auto business, displaying their capability to construct autos that not solely meet however exceed world benchmarks for design, innovation, and market attraction. As BYD retains pushing the envelope in electrical automobile tech, this World Automotive Award for the BYD Seagull undoubtedly marks an thrilling new section of their journey in direction of changing into a worldwide chief in sustainable transportation.

Li can be a World Automotive Award Recipient

Li is the World Automotive Particular person of the 12 months Awardee for 2025.  The driving drive behind BYD’s outstanding ascent since 1996, Li has been instrumental in remodeling the corporate into one of many world’s automotive giants in underneath three many years. The celebration of their 10-millionth new vitality automobile in 2024 was a robust testomony to this speedy development.

Li’s strategic planning and imaginative and prescient for world growth have been pivotal, reaching new milestones simply final 12 months. Her management champions each cutting-edge innovation and widespread accessibility — qualities clearly acknowledged by the World Automotive Awards. True to Li’s imaginative and prescient, BYD is bringing this superior know-how to the market at an accessible worth level.

The 2024 achievements underneath Li’s steering, culminating in each the distinguished World Automotive Particular person Award in 2025 and BYD’s first World Automotive of the 12 months Award, is proof of her profound affect on the worldwide automotive panorama.