BYD Teases an Unnamed Newcomer for Paris as Plug-In Hybrids Take the Spotlight

BYD has confirmed it will pull the wraps off a yet-to-be-named model at the Paris Motor Show on 12 October, using its Hall 6 stand as a platform to outline where it intends to take its French and wider European business. The Chinese manufacturer is keeping the identity of the debut vehicle under wraps for now, but the surrounding line-up sends a fairly clear signal about the direction of travel.

Plug-in hybrids sit at the heart of the display, a positioning that suggests BYD regards the technology as its main lever for pulling in European buyers who are not yet ready to commit to a pure battery-electric car. Central to that push is the Dolphin G DM-i, described as the company’s first car engineered specifically for Europe. It transplants BYD’s DM 5.0 plug-in hybrid system into the B-segment and offers a 425-litre boot, with WLTP figures of up to 65 miles of electric-only running and 646 miles combined — giving the brand a plug-in foothold in Europe’s fiercely contested compact class.

The stand also hosts the Shark, BYD’s first pick-up offered in the region. Measuring 5.46 metres, it runs a dual-mode off-road hybrid setup rated at 436 PS and 650 Nm delivered through all-wheel drive, with a 32.2 kWh Blade Battery providing up to 56 miles of electric range. A 2,500 kg towing capacity and up to 790 kg of payload are clearly aimed at commercial and business users rather than lifestyle buyers.

Beyond those two headliners, the company is spreading its DM-i plug-in hybrid treatment across the Atto 2, Sealion 5 and Seal U. On the battery-electric side, the roster includes the Dolphin Surf — now available with five seats — alongside the Atto 3 Evo, the Seal and the Sealion 7. BYD is also bringing a second-generation Blade Battery to Paris together with energy storage products, underlining that its battery operation extends well beyond passenger cars.

The show itself runs from 12 to 18 October at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, and BYD is layering fan events onto the programme with partners including Paris Saint-Germain, Racing 92 and Team Vitality — a sign the brand is chasing visibility and local credibility as much as it is showcasing hardware.