BYD says its Seal U DM-i model – a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) – has hit 10,000 sales in the UK market just ten months after going on sale.

BYD also says the PHEV SUV model is the best-seller in BYD’s growing UK model range – and the ‘country’s most popular PHEV’.

SMMT sales data shows that the PHEV segment is booming in the UK car market, with PHEV sales in the first seven months of this year up 31.5% to 124,500 units.

BYD UK also surpassed 30,000 sales overall since the brand’s UK launch in 2023, which BYD says makes it the UK’s fastest-growing automotive brand.

Seal U DM-i range is available front or all-wheel drive options and 18.3 or 26.6kWh battery capacity for up to 77 miles all-electric range.

All versions feature the DM (Dual Mode) intelligent plug-in hybrid system, which  comes with a 1.5-litre hybrid petrol combustion engine which is only brought into play when its assistance is needed. Together they can give a full tank range of 699 miles, enough to drive from Edinburgh to Paris.

To suit different customer preferences, the system is offered with a choice of two battery capacities – 18.3 and 26.6kWh. The smaller capacity unit features in the front-wheel drive Boost and all-wheel drive Design models, with respective EV driving ranges of up to 50 and 43 miles. Equipped with the larger unit, the all-wheel drive Comfort can travel up to 77 miles on electric power alone.

Steve Beattie, Sales and Marketing Director, BYD UK said: “The Seal U DM-i’s fantastic sales statistics show how the British public are responding in ever greater numbers to our brand proposition, taking the opportunity to move to our affordable new energy vehicle with confidence. Supported by our fast-growing retailer network and our expanding model range, we have an ideal platform upon which to build for even greater future success.”