BYD celebrates market launch in Switzerland

BYD has hit the road in Switzerland. The Chinese carmaker will initially offer the battery-electric models Seal and Sealion 7 there, as well as the plug-in hybrid Seal U DM-i. A first point of sale has already opened in Zurich, with 14 more to follow by the end of 2025.

In recent years, BYD launched in numerous European markets with the trio of Atto 3, Han and Tang. However, the Chinese company is taking a different approach to its expansion in Switzerland, launching the electric saloon Seal, the electric SUV Sealion 7 and the plug-in hybrid Seal U DM-i. In Germany, BYD currently offers the Atto 2, the Dophin, the Atto 3, the Seal, the Seal U, the Seal U DM-i, the Sealion 7 and the Tang. All of them are purely electric models except for the Seal U DM-i, initially launched in 2022.

BYD celebrated its market launch in Switzerland with a two-day event in the Umwelt-Arena in Spreitenbach (see picture). The two pure electric vehicles for Switzerland are based on BYD’s e-platform 3.0. The Seal is an electric saloon available in two trim levels (Design and Excellence) and two engine versions, with a battery capacity of 82.5 kWh and a WLTP range of up to 570 km. It can be charged with 11 kW AC and up to 150 kW DC. Click here for our test drive. In contrast to the Seal, the Sealion 7 is still quite new in Europe. It was announced for the local markets in autumn. The electric SUV is available with two drive trains and in three trim levels (Comfort, Design AWD, Excellence AWD). The battery has a capacity of 91.3 kWh for a WLTP range of 502 km. The DC charging power is 230 kW.

The third in the group is the Seal U DM-i, which will be available in Switzerland in three trim levels and with two driving modes. DM-i is BYD’s internal abbreviation for plug-in hybrids (BYD stopped producing pure combustion engines as early as 2022). The manufacturer estimates the all-electric range of the Seal U DM-i at up to 115 kilometres.

All BYD models come with a standard six-year or 150,000-kilometre manufacturer’s warranty, with the battery and drive motor covered for eight years. BYD plans to work with retailers in Switzerland for distribution. In cooperation with Harmony Auto Zurich, the first showroom has already been opened in the heart of Zurich. BYD plans to open 14 more sales outlets by the end of the year, for example in Zug. BYD has also announced that it will work with Automotive Suisse at sales outlets in Lugano and Bellinzona.

“We’re very excited to be opening our network in Switzerland,” said Stella Li, BYD Executive Vice President. “At BYD, our mission is to make our sustainable technologies as accessible to as many consumers as possible, so every new market in Europe is extremely important to us. We’re delighted, too, to be launching with vehicles that showcase the types of technology that we are receiving more and more recognition for: the Blade Battery and Cell-to-Body construction in the Seal and Sealion 7, and our Super DM hybrid system in the Seal U DM-i. We’re looking forward to growing our presence here throughout 2025 and beyond.”

Source: Information by e-mail