BYD takes over Europe with a new EV launch

BYD launched its new electric hatchback last month by blasting a drone display across the sky above Rome’s Olympic Stadium.

The light show outlined its new Dolphin Surf model against the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Pantheon. China’s largest carmaker had shown up in Europe not with a concept, but with a cheap, ready-to-sell electric vehicle. No fluff, no frills, no waiting list.

The Dolphin Surf is supposed to do what the Fiat 500 did after World War II — reach millions. Only now, it runs on a battery.

And while Europe’s automakers are still pricing EVs like they’re made of gold, BYD has a factory under construction in Hungary, a new dealership strategy in Germany, and 200% growth in the top five European markets. This isn’t a soft entry. It’s a takeover. According to Bloomberg, BYD passed Tesla in sales and has no plans to slow down.

BYD grabs dealers, factories, and sales across Europe fast

The company’s leadership is betting on Europe hard. Stella Li, executive vice president and public face of BYD outside China, told Bloomberg, “If you’re winning here, it means you’re super good in every angle.” She confirmed they’re ready to spend up to $20 billion in Europe. The company has already pulled out of third-party import deals, taken control of shipping, and filled its showroom floors with cheaper, smaller cars.

Back in 2022, BYD tried the premium route at the Paris Motor Show and got ignored. So it pivoted. By 2024, it started selling budget-friendly models aimed at younger people and cut deals with local dealers instead of relying on middlemen. That included a focus on plug-in hybrids. The strategy had already worked in Latin America. In Europe, it caught fire. Li also brought in Maria Grazia Davino, former UK head of Fiat-parent Stellantis, to fix the German network.

Inside the UK, BYD went from 1,611 cars sold through April 2024 to nearly 12,000 sold in the same period in 2025. It’s now close to overtaking Fiat, Honda, and Mini in the UK. And the company has started hiring top people from legacy firms.

In the UK, the Dolphin Surf costs £18,650 in its base trim. That’s below the Renault 5 E-Tech, Citroën ë-C3, and Fiat 500e — even though the Dolphin Surf has more tech and decent range at 137 miles per charge. And it ships with a rotating infotainment screen, parking camera, and adaptive cruise as standard. No upgrades needed.

BYD builds a full ecosystem while rivals stall

BYD also spent between €30 million and €50 million to sponsor Euro 2024, grabbing visibility after Volkswagen backed out. That same branding push is backed by real infrastructure. The new factory in Szeged, Hungary will handle EVs and hybrids for the EU. It also plugs directly into China’s Belt and Road logistics system via the port of Piraeus in Greece.

Behind the marketing, the company runs one of the biggest R&D operations on the planet — 120,000 people. And it doesn’t want delays. BYD is cutting out anyone that slows things down, including distributors. Everything from battery cells to final delivery is being pulled in-house. That’s how they’re moving cars across Europe before most rivals can clear customs.

There’s risk though. Margins are thin. Plug-in hybrids are under fire from regulators who say they aren’t as green as claimed. Brand recognition is still weak. And unlike Volkswagen or Peugeot, BYD doesn’t have deep roots in company car programs, government fleets, or rental channels.

Back in China, the spending spree is already being questioned. Government officials and state media criticized BYD’s price slashing. In response, the company joined a collective pledge with a dozen automakers to pay suppliers faster. Cash flow is tight, and Europe’s not a cheap playground.

None of that has slowed Stella Li. She visits Europe every month. She runs events, talks to dealers, and still handles sales. At the Rome launch in May, she told Bloomberg that the Dolphin Surf was for people with tighter budgets. “They can make the change to EVs,” she said. “At the same time, they are driving a car that’s not only accessible, it’s intelligent, high-tech fun.”

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