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MagyarBYD enters the Model Y market with cheaper Sea Lion SUV as GAC Aion copies the Model X wing doors
After releasing a cheaper competitor to the Model 3 Highland, BYD just outed a direct take on Tesla's other bestseller, the Model Y. Called the Sea Lion 07, it is the start of a new series of mid-size SUVs for BYD and nearly mimics the dimensions of the Model Y. As usual, BYD undercuts the Model Y, setting the new Sea Lion SUV price from the equivalent of US$27,600-$35,900, while the Model Y starts from nearly ten grand more in its home market.
The Sea Lion 07 is built on BYD's advanced e-Platform 3.0 that includes intelligent powertrain integration technologies as well as the DiSus-C suite of suspension and body control systems. There will be a base RWD and AWD versions of the Sea Lion, while the exact power and range specs will be revealed at a later date.
BYD has become a master of vertical integration, using its own batteries and EV platforms to achieve great economies of scale that have allowed it to nearly match Tesla in terms of electric vehicles sold last quarter. With the release of the Sea Lion 07, it will now go after the Model Y market as well, and it will be interesting to follow what the Q4 sales numbers will look like for the two EV juggernauts.
There are a number of other Chinese EV makers that showcased their new vehicles at the ongoing Guangzhou Auto Show, such as GAC's Aion. It brought along the new Hyper HT SUV whose higher trims seem to go directly after another Tesla vehicle, the Model X. They offer the same falcon wing doors as the Tesla, but on a budget.
The new Hyper HT starts from about US$30,500, while the top trim comes up to $45,750, but offers a 93kWh battery rated for 5C charging speeds that can add about 200 miles of EPA range estimate in 10 minutes.
It also has no less than 3 LiDARs for driver-assist purposes. GAC boasts that the Hyper HT will be able to take advantage of its autonomous driving system on city streets in China next quarter when it will be able to pass traffic lights. By Q3 of 2024, the Hyper HT will have the intelligence to drive itself without relying on high-definition maps in a number of major Chinese cities, too.
