The cost-effectiveness of electric vehicles continues to be a lesser concern in China compared to the US.
BYD
Recently introduced a reduction on its Seagull product.
electric
The vehicle (EV) has lowered its model’s already accessible starting price from $9,500 down to $7,800. In comparison,
Nissan’s
The Versa is the most affordable car in the U.S., with prices beginning at $18,330. In March, the typical price for a new vehicle in America stood at $47,962, which is slightly below the record-high of $49,958 reached in December 2022.
Kelley Blue Book
Reports indicate that new car prices are anticipated to rise shortly.
President Trump’s extra 25% tax on car imports
This trend may lead to higher used car prices as demand shifts towards more affordable models and available stock decreases.
BYD’s Seagull, primarily sold in China, still costs significantly less than the average price of a used car in the US, which was $25,006 at the start of March, according to
Kelley Blue Book
Let’s delve deeper into what BYD’s Seagull provides for motorists.
An affordable, compact hatchback with ample range for city driving
The Seagull is a small five-door hatchback that measures up shorter than the now-discontinued Chevy Bolt EV. It comes in three versions in China—Vitality, Freedom, and Flying—and offers two battery options: a 30.1 kWh unit good for 190 miles or a larger 38.9 kWh version offering a range of 252 miles. Both batteries power a 75-horsepower engine capable of reaching speeds up to 80 mph. At launch, the starting price for the Vitality edition at $7,800 includes just the 190-mile battery option. For the 2025 model year, BYD updated the Seagull with a freshened front bumper design and revised air intakes, giving it a more athletic look.
In November, the Seagull was China’s top-selling vehicle across EV and gas-powered segments, overtaking
Tesla’s
Model Y. The Seagull was dubbed “the mini Lamborghini” following its chief designer, Wolfgang Egger, who previously worked at
Lamborghini
In Q1 of 2025, BYD sold over one million new energy vehicles, marking a 60% increase compared to the previous year.
Electrek
reports.
Europe will get its own iteration of the Seagull called the Dolphin Surf. This model comes with additional safety features and carries a marginally higher Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), anticipated to stay below $26,000. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t count on seeing either the Seagull or its European counterpart, the Dolphin Surf, in the U.S. market soon. Although Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) aren’t officially prohibited in the country, various factors make them nearly impossible to obtain here. The issues involve steep import taxes—specifically a 247.5% tariff—and stringent regulations prohibiting both imported finished products as well as those equipped with specific types of connected car technology originating from China over security worries.
Last week, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin proposed legislation aimed at preventing Chinese-manufactured cars from entering the nation entirely. This would be achieved by granting authority to the Commerce Secretary to enforce comprehensive import restrictions. According to reports, this bill has garnered backing from both sides of the aisle in the Senate.
WDET
.
Final thoughts
BYD has been reshaping the economics of electric vehicles with models such as its Seagull, enabling the company to come very close to surpassing Tesla in yearly electric vehicle sales, reaching 1.76 million units versus Tesla’s 1.79 million in 2024. Despite lacking U.S. backing, China continues to take control of the worldwide EV sector. It’s evident that the U.S. currently offers limited choices for budget-friendly EVs. However, it seems improbable that cars similar to the BYD Seagull will be seen cruising American streets anytime soon due to ongoing concerns about potential national security threats posed by connectivity features found in Chinese-made automobiles.