BYD will expand its product offerings in Southeast Asia to include plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Currently, BYD only sells battery EV (BEV) models in Southeast Asia. The three BEV models sold here – Dolphin, Atto 3, and Seal – are just a small portion of the wide range of electrified cars that BYD makes.

In China, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) contribute half of BYD’s sales.

According to a report by Indonesian publication OtoBisnis, PHEV models will lay the foundation for the next phase of BYD’s growth in Southeast Asia.

“Since March 2023, BYD no longer makes internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Our focus is only vehicle electrification technology. PHEV is another one of our strategies for certain markets, and we will be introducing PHEVs to the Southeast Asian region,” said Eagle Zhao, President Director of BYD Indonesia.

Zhao also holds a concurrent position as Managing Director of BYD Malaysia, the wholly owned BYD subsidiary that works along local distributor Sime Darby Beyond Auto.

Plug-in hybrid BYDs are marketed under the DM-i name.

The recently launched in Malaysia BYD Seal is offered in China either as a BEV or a PHEV. The latter is powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder that makes 110 PS / 135 Nm, boosted by a 197 PS / 325 Nm motor, driven by a 17.6 kWh battery.

There’s also a more powerful turbocharged variant, with the same 1.5-litre capacity engine now making 139 PS / 231 Nm, paired to a 218 PS / 325 Nm motor, driven by either a 17.6 kWh or 30.7 kWh battery. The latter can go up to 200 km in electric power alone.

In November 2022, BYD presented two DM-i models at the Thailand International Motor Expo – Qin Plus and Song Plus (pre-facelift) - so there is a precedence to BYD plug-in hybrids.

Currently, all plug-in hybrid BYD DM-i models are only available in left-hand drive, but the Australian press have previously reported that the new generation BYD Seal U is under developed with right-hand drive in mind. 

The Seal U is an overseas market name for the Song Plus DM-i previewed in Thailand earlier, but the model put on display then has since been replaced by a new facelift model last year.

The 2023 BYD Seal U / Song Plus DM-i that's currently on sale in China is powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder that makes 110 PS / 135 Nm, paired to a 197 PS / 325 Nm motor. Battery capacity ranges from 12.9 kWh to 26.6 kWh, giving it an electric driving range of 55 km to 116 km respectively (WLTP).

The Seal U PHEV / Song Plus DM-i is priced from RMB 129,800 to RMB 169,800 (~RM 84.7k to ~RM 110.8k). For comparison, the BYD Seal BEV is priced from RM 189,800 to RM 279,800 (~RM 123.8k to RM 182.6k).

Should the Seal U PHEV be launched in Malaysia, don't expect it to be cheaper than Sime Darby Beyond Auto's electric-only Seal sedan (RM 180,430 to RM 200,430) because Malaysia's tax exemptions for EVs don't extend to plug-in hybrids. China incentivizes all plug-in charging-capable vehicles - collectively referred to by China as New Energy Vehicles or NEV - to boost demand for public charging infrastructure services.