Chinese brand BYD looks set to introduce an electric version of the Sealion 8 large SUV after the arrival of the plug-in hybrid powertrain early next year.
BYD Australia looks set to rollout its biggest electric car to date with a tailpipe emissions-free large SUV in the works.
Though the brand is yet to confirm exactly what the new model will look like, it will take the fight right to the Kia EV9 and incoming Hyundai Ioniq 9 in the large SUV EV market.
This is also a stark contrast to Honda and Ford, who both recently cancelled plans to enter the segment due to stagnating EV interest.
Speaking to Drive, BYD Australia Head of Product Sajid Hasan said an all-electric large SUV is “just a matter of timing”, but also it would not be happening soon.
“The door’s open [for a large electric SUV], the market is heading [that way],” Hasan said.
“It’s just a matter of timing really.
“Is the market ready for a BYD large SUV full battery electric vehicle? I think our priority is first to roll out our current pipeline of products.
“We have a balance of EVs and plug-in hybrids coming.”
BYD Australia’s next new model in showrooms will be the Atto 2 small SUV due by the end of the year, followed by the Sealion 8 plug-in hybrid large SUV.
The latter is known as the Tang L in BYD’s home market of China, where it is also available as a battery electric vehicle (BEV).
In China, the EV version features a 500kW or 810kW combined output in rear- and all-wheel-drive forms respectively, while the 83.2kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery is good for a claimed driving range of up to 700km.
Although Hasan did not directly confirm the Sealion 8 EV for Australia, there are strong hints it will become the first BYD nameplate in Australia with a hybrid and all-electric powertrain option.
“Current market trends suggest that [large SUV] plug-in hybrids would be the more favourable intermediary option to roll out with,” Hasan said.
“So that’s why we’re bringing out the Sealion 8 first as a plug-in hybrid.
“You will, in the future, see EVs and plug-in hybrids under the same model name.”
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
