BYD to launch refreshed ‘Dolphin’ on 23 February, may continue push for price cuts
BYD (OTCMKTS: BYDDF) yesterday unveiled low-priced upgraded versions of its two budget sedans, triggering several local peers to follow suit with price cuts.
BYD’s cards seem to have just been dealt, as it will launch another updated model in three days.
BYD announced today that it will hold a launch event for the Dolphin Glory Edition on 23 February, starting at 3pm Beijing time.
BYD said the upgraded Dolphin will feature a grey and red exterior as well as new wheels and other advanced designs, but did not mention any further details.
Originally unveiled at the Chengdu Auto Show on 29 August 2021, the Dolphin compact electric car is the first model on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 electric platform.
The Dolphin is currently offered in five versions with starting prices of CNY116,800 (US$16,230), CNY123,800, CNY126,800, CNY136,800 and CNY139,800.
Yesterday, BYD launched the Qin Plus Glory Edition and the Chaser 05 Glory Edition, both with starting prices reduced to CNY79,800. Previously, the starting prices of these two models were RMB 99,800 and RMB 101,800 respectively.
BYD’s efforts last year focused on making its new energy vehicles comparable in price to fuel cars, and in its latest offensive, BYD has emphasised that its new energy vehicles will be priced lower than fuel cars.
Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), said in an article published yesterday that 2024 will be a crucial year for new-energy carmakers to gain a firm foothold as competition is destined to be fierce with the high growth rate in the coming years.