BYD prices facelift of its Tesla Model 2 competitor Dolphin 15% lower yet adds vented seats

Just as teased earlier in the week, Tesla's main competitor BYD launched a refreshed version of its hot Dolphin hatch that is now nearly 15% cheaper than its predecessor, all the while it carries many upgrades. The new BYD Dolphin price range is now in the equivalent of a bit under $14,000 for the base model to a tad below $18,000 for the top version with 260 miles of range.

This is a very significant reduction in price and in line with BYD's stated goal to send ICE-only vehicles makers in panic mode with the pricing of its electric cars and hybrids this year. The new BYD Dolphin comes with a lot of refreshed design elements, new suspension and steering, as well as interior accoutrements.

Chief among those are the ventilated seats, something that the owners of the world's bestselling EV - the Tesla Model Y - are still waiting on and hoping it will arrive with the Juniper refresh next year. BYD also added fast wireless phone charging pad and new colors targeting a younger, urban demographic.

Thus, it will be well positioned to meet anything that Tesla will pit against it with its first mass market electric vehicle dubbed the Model 2. Tesla's so-called Project Redwood vehicle will bank on a mass production "revolution" that Elon Musk says hasn't been attempted so far, but is not expected to launch before next year.

With a rumored 54 kWh battery and a design reminiscent of a compact Model Y it might beat the Dolphin in size and range by a tad, but then again BYD's pricing is extremely competitive now. Granted, when the new facelift hits European markets it would cost double what it commands in China, but it may still undercut any affordable electric vehicle there.

When Tesla launches the Model 2 in Europe some time in 2025 or even 2026, BYD and local automakers may have a firm grip on the mass EV market there already.

Get the 80A Tesla Gen 2 Wall Connector with 24' cable on Amazon