Will BYD Cars PH be introducing the Sealion 7 and Sealion 8 this year?

Ever since BYD was re-established locally under the management of ACMobility, the Chinese automaker has seen tremendous amounts of growth. Exact sales figures are not yet available, but it’s obvious from the amount of BYD vehicles you can see on the road, on top of the many launches they had last year.

Well, it looks like BYD Cars Philippines already has a lot planned for 2026 as two new crossover models have appeared on the Department of Energy (DOE) List of Recognized EVs. Applied for recognition by BYD Philippines (not to be confused with BYD Cars Philippines), these are definite signs of the two models’ arrival in the local market.

The first model that could be launched this year is the BYD Sealion 7, a fastback-styled fully electric crossover capable of 390 horsepower and 690Nm of torque, with a 0-100kph acceleration time of just 4.5 seconds. The motors are paired to an 82.56kWh battery allowing for up to 456km of range.

This crossover is also on the more premium end of BYD’s Ocean Series. The front fascia is similar to the popular BYD Sealion 6 DM-i, while the rear is an SUV interpretation of the BYD Seal electric sedan’s design. 

Inside, it gets a large 15.6-inch central touchscreen, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, along with leather upholstery, power front seats, heads-up display (HUD), driver’s seat legrest, and a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system, among others.

Moving on, the next possible model introduction for BYD Cars Philippines this year is the Sealion 8 DM-p, a luxury midsize crossover that’s also known as the Tang L. We got up close and personal with this during a trip to China with BYD last year, with executives even posing with it for a photo, further signaling a possible launch.

If launched here, this will get a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, paired to dual electric motors and a 35.63kWh battery. The system produces a combined 544 horsepower and is capable of driving for up to 1,017km on a single full charge and tank of gas.

It could also become one of BYD’s most luxurious offerings for the Philippine market, together with the Tang EV and eMax 9 DM-i. This will feature capacity for seven occupants, 21-inch alloy wheels, AC and DC charging, a HUD, panoramic glass roof, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, front seat legrests, ventilated second row seats, a 15.6-inch infotainment screen, and a 21-speaker audio system, among many other features.

With these two models potentially arriving in our market this year, would you choose these more premium offerings over the brand’s other current offerings, or even more so compared to other vehicles on the market?

_{PHOTOS: BYD, Sam Surla}