BYD has unveiled its Sealion 07 EV at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2025, marking the electric vehicle's official debut in Japan. The Chinese automaker continues its push on international markets with this latest battery electric vehicle (BEV). The Sealion 07 EV is set to hit the Japanese passenger car market later this year, becoming BYD's fourth offering in the region after the Yuan Plus, Dolphin, and Seal.
After selling 2,223 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in Japan during 2024, BYD registered remarkable 54% year-on-year growth. This achievement outpaced Toyota's NEV sales, underscoring BYD's rising prominence as it takes on industry stalwarts. BYD initially entered the Japanese market on July 21, 2022, and the introduction of the Sealion 07 EV strengthens its commitment to growing its footprint amid competition.
On the other side of the globe, BYD's Shark PHEV pickup trucks are making waves after deliveries began on January 13, 2025. The first shipment, which left China aboard the Norwegian-registered ship Turandot, carried around 2,000 units to Australia. Dubbed the BYD Shark 6, the demand has been significant, with orders exceeding 5,500. Handovers commenced at BYD’s Brisbane showroom, with future deliveries anticipated.
Despite the initial enthusiasm, the deliveries are being hindered by industrial action affecting the unloading process at Australian ports. Strikes have created delays, with thousands of units sitting on boats awaiting discharge. Current delivery times for the Shark 6 hover around six to eight weeks. The Shark 6, priced at AUD57,900 (USD 35,550), is noteworthy as Australia’s first PHEV ute.
This model features two electric motors with combined output reaching 320 kW and peak torque of 650 Nm, positioned as an efficient generator-driven vehicle. The 29.58 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery offers substantial range capabilities, boasting 100 km all-electric and up to 840 km overall range. Although its towing capacity is 2,500 kg, which is on the lower side compared to diesel-powered rivals, the Shark 6 has quickly drawn interest.
BYD also received attention for its historic sales achievements at home. For the first time, BYD outsold Toyota for EV sales on its home soil, emphasizing the Chinese EV maker's rising influence. This victory is particularly impressive against the backdrop of Toyota's long-standing dominance. Reporting by CarNewsChina indicated BYD surpassed Toyota's total, selling 2,223 EVs compared to Toyota's 2,038 EVs sold during 2024.
BYD's impressive growth statistics highlighted how they have ramped up their market efforts. Sales have risen 54% compared to last year, whereas Toyota's EV sales have fallen 30 percent. Since entering the Japanese market with its first electric vehicle, the Atto 3—debuted at around $30,000—BYD has introduced several models, including the Dolphin and Seal, both of which gained popularity for their pricing and performance.
With the Dolphin priced starting as low as 2.99 million yen (approximately $19,000), it competes directly with notable domestic vehicles like the Toyota Prius, showcasing BYD's strategy of offering competitive pricing to capture market share. Their sedan, the Seal, has been viewed as BYD's answer to the Tesla Model 3, quickly becoming the top-selling imported EV by August 2024.
Japan’s electric vehicle market faced challenges, with total sales declining by 33% to just below 60,000 units last year, marking its first decline after four consecutive years of growth. Nevertheless, BYD’s presence becomes more compelling, as Nissan managed to retain approximately half of this market share, even with the LEAF's declining sales.
BYD's surge reflects the increasingly competitive stance as they mount pressure on established automakers like Toyota. The automaker now targets additional international expansions, with new models planned for Europe, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, positions it solidly in the global EV race. This strategic growth could reshape market dynamics, pushing historical leaders like Toyota to adapt swiftly.
Will BYD's ambitious strategies lead to them eventually topping Toyota not just locally but globally as well? Observers note the rapid evolution within the industry as the shift toward EVs continues to gain momentum, leaving many to wonder about the future positioning of these two auto giants.