Motoring Discussion > BYD Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Bobby Replies: 30
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 Sat 19 Apr 25 17:03 
 BYD - Bobby
Daughter, now that she has realised the limitations in demanding a heated windscreen, has chosen to widen her scope. She was adamant it was going to be a Kuga PHEV but between the over £40k tax, and the current recall, she is looking elsewhere.
A random conversation with a friend has steered her to a BYD Seal U which is slightly bigger than a Kuga, but bigger electric range and under the 40k tax threshold.

I know nothing of BYD or this model. Anyone with any knowledge? I realise there is the “don’t buy Chinese” argument vs “Chinese build the best electric cars and best warranties”.

Would appreciate any input.
Here’s one if, like me, you didn’t have a clue what it was.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504141332192


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 Sat 19 Apr 25 18:57 
 BYD - zippy
There was one in front of me the other day.

First one that I had seen.

It was big.

It's rear lights seemed to be tiny and I wondered if these might be a visibility problem for drivers following?

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 Sun 20 Apr 25 12:03 
 BYD - Manatee
I don't think I'd want £30k in one. I suppose that's what cars cost now, but I'd rather have say Toyota depreciation than BYD. Has she a short commute, is that why she wants a PHEV? Can she plug in at home?

I'm told a lot of the Mitsubishi PHEVs had never been plugged in.
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 Sun 20 Apr 25 12:11 
 BYD - Bromptonaut
Personally I'd be chary of brands that are relatively new to the UK at any price and certainly at all but £30k.
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 Sun 20 Apr 25 12:42 
 BYD - sherlock47
Do your homework on insurance costs and spares availability before you let her commit. Presumably there is a local garage in the event of problems, I suppose the low c upfront cost will probably mitigate the depreciation.

Taking it on a lease r contract finance deal or buying with a credit card may be a sensible move to give added safeguards against long term problems.
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 Sun 20 Apr 25 14:45 
 BYD - Bobby
Yeah it’s PCP deal and can’t mind the exact figures, but the guaranteed future value, was a lot higher than for example a Kuga which says to me less projected depreciation.
Can see plenty Kuga PHEVs with less than 6 months and little mileage for 10k below list.
The 40k tax band really is a factor as well with the higher tax. The BYD isn’t affected by it.

Yeah insurance was £310 for her corsa and would be £545 for the BYD. Think there are only 3 dealers in Scotland, all Arnold. Which makes me wary. How easy to get a new bumper or whatever?

Most of her journeys are local so a charger and electric would work well for her but this is going to be the “family” car so may occasionally be called on for longer journeys, holidays etc. So very similar to me, would probably be able to do 90% of journeys in full electric.

Ford are doing a good deal with new electric cars with free chargers through octopus and equivalent of 10k miles electricity. But of course that’s on full list prices.

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 Sun 20 Apr 25 16:48 
 BYD - Manatee
>> Yeah it’s PCP deal and can’t mind the exact figures, but the guaranteed future value,
>> was a lot higher than for example a Kuga which says to me less projected
>> depreciation.

That can be a hidden discount if the manufacturer has underwritten the buyback. They can use it tactically without devaluing the product so obviously be reducing the selling price. Could be a good deal when the risk of ownership remains with somebody else.

During the financial crisis Mercedes were offering some silly cheap operating leases on the gas guzzlers. A friend had a ML for something silly like £250 a month for a year.
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 Sun 20 Apr 25 17:19 
 BYD - Bobby
Yeah was suspecting that Manatee.

BYD of course can produce cheaper products in China as well but these cars are filled with all the toys inc sunroof, heated seats and wheel. 2 wireless phone pad chargers etc etc.

If they are also willing to “subsidise” to get into the UK market then….
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 Sun 20 Apr 25 19:41 
 BYD - CGNorwich
I rather suspect that BYD are going to take a substantial share of the market. Toyota’s lukewarm approach to electric vehicles may well prove disastrous to them..
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 Sun 20 Apr 25 19:49 
 BYD - zippy
>> I rather suspect that BYD are going to take a substantial share of the market.
>> Toyota’s lukewarm approach to electric vehicles may well prove disastrous to them..
>>

I fear the same.
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 Sun 20 Apr 25 20:59 
 BYD - Terry
BYD seem to get decent reviews.

If buying on PCP or lease any liability for depreciation or long term concern over spares etc is not your daughters problem - just judge the car against the competition on performance, gizmos, monthly cost and initial payment.

Personally I would not buy a brand fairly new to the UK with limited track record - dealer network, spares back up, medium/long term proven reliability etc. The risk of investing £30k+ in an asset which may become unsupported is too high - will BYD get sustainable market share, tariff turmoil, EV legislative changes etc.
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 Tue 22 Apr 25 11:30 
 BYD - VxFan
>> BYD seem to get decent reviews.

A few have been reviewed on Fully Charged

www.youtube.com/@fullychargedshow

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqn4heHUBVE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1_0U_Q96PE

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHWXx1KsvVY

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pKRFCf93Xs

www.youtube.com/watch?v=63wCfqSQp8c

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvzRfUGAB_s

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 Wed 23 Apr 25 09:59 
 BYD - Boxsterboy
The Autocar review might be worth looking at?

I am one of those who would try to avoid a Chinese car when there are plenty of decent European, Japanese or Korean alternatives to choose from, from an ethical point of view.
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 Wed 23 Apr 25 10:15 
 BYD - Zero
So you would avoid Volvo and MG then?
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 Wed 23 Apr 25 10:50 
 BYD - Boxsterboy
>> So you would avoid Volvo and MG then?
>>

MG yes (because of the above and a friends bad experience owning one).
Volvo yes (because Mrs BB thinks they are an old man's car).
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 Thu 24 Apr 25 09:26 
 BYD - CGNorwich
Nearly all UK and European EVs have Chinese batteries.
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 Wed 23 Apr 25 10:21 
 BYD - Zero

>> I am one of those who would try to avoid a Chinese car when there
>> are plenty of decent European, Japanese or Korean alternatives to choose from, from an ethical
>> point of view.

I would avoid a BYD right now due to practical issues in support network and parts in these strange trumpian times.
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 Wed 23 Apr 25 10:33 
 BYD - zippy
I am hoping prices get cheaper and availability of parts improve as they won't be shipping as much to the USA.

In the meantime I will be keeping an eye out for flying porksters.
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 Thu 24 Apr 25 10:59 
 BYD - Lygonos
www.new-car-discount.com/car/byd/seal-u/estate/all/all

Omoda are a new-start here that along with sister brand Jaecoo are buying up dealerships.

If it's a plug-in she wants rather than a BEV the Jaecoo 7 looks ok but is a chunk of loot to drop on a new brand:

www.new-car-discount.com/car/jaecoo/7-estate/4x4/petrol-parallel-phev/automatic/1.5t-phev-luxury-5dr-auto/24/

Looks like a Chinese re-imagining of a Land Rover to my eye.

Last edited by: Lygonos on Thu 24 Apr 25 at 11:00
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 Thu 24 Apr 25 11:32 
 BYD - Bobby
She signed up for the BYD last night!

First time I have seen the car was in the dealership last night. It’s big, about 4700 so longer than my X1. PHEV with a non turbo 1.5 engine. One of these where the engine is used to generate electricity to drive the motor to drive the wheels…
Absolutely loaded with the toys and covers with a long warranty. I was actually very impressed with it.

FB groups suggest can get by with a granny charger as opposed to new wall charger installation.

Will be keeping a closer watch on how things progress. I am looking forward to the first “Aaaaarrrggghh I don’t know how to drive this and why are there so many options I need to select”

She currently drives a 1.4 manual 3 door Corsa!
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 Thu 24 Apr 25 14:19 
 BYD - Manatee
According to this morning's paper BYD is the biggest EV manufacturer in the world?
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 Thu 24 Apr 25 16:08 
 BYD - Zero
autovista24.autovistagroup.com/news/what-are-the-global-ev-markets-most-successful-brands/
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 Thu 24 Apr 25 16:10 
 BYD - Zero
>> I am hoping prices get cheaper and availability of parts improve as they won't be
>> shipping as much to the USA.

That really isn't the way manufacturing and supply chains work. Lower volumes is always bad.
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 Thu 24 Apr 25 21:40 
 BYD - zippy
>> >> I am hoping prices get cheaper and availability of parts improve as they won't
>> be
>> >> shipping as much to the USA.
>>
>> That really isn't the way manufacturing and supply chains work. Lower volumes is always bad.
>>

You are correct in a perfect world, but there may be a temporary glut of goods that were destined to the USA that are now looking for a new home and that's what I was aiming for - who knows?
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 Fri 25 Apr 25 09:08 
 BYD - Kevin
>..but there may be a temporary glut of goods that were destined to the
>USA that are now looking for a new home..

I think that is called 'dumping' in trade parlance.
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 Fri 25 Apr 25 17:57 
 BYD - Biggles
Or the law of supply and demand.
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 Fri 25 Apr 25 18:41 
 BYD - Kevin
www.esgtoday.com/eu-rolls-out-tariffs-on-chinese-evs-following-anti-dumping-investigation/
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 Fri 25 Apr 25 19:23 
 BYD - Biggles
That is from 2024. If the US market is suddenly turned off the dealers have to get rid of their stock somehow, which means cutting the prices until someone buys it. You call it dumping, others call it economics.
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 Fri 25 Apr 25 19:44 
 BYD - Kevin
You can call it whatever you like but I'll stick with the WTO term.
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 Tue 29 Apr 25 09:21 
 BYD - Chinese cars and spying - zippy
www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/don-t-plug-phones-into-chinese-electric-cars-defence-firms-warn/ar-AA1DMXFl
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 Tue 29 Apr 25 10:27 
 BYD - Chinese cars and spying - Falkirk Bairn
Sign of BYD muscle
New car transporter - 9,500 cars on 16 decks, 750 feet long (228 metres for younger readers)

ttps://www.fastcompany.com/91323170/byd-worlds-largest-car-carrier-shi
p-explosive-growth?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-g
Last edited by: Falkirk Bairn on Tue 29 Apr 25 at 10:27
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