Seagull to swoop in, eat Dacia's lunch

BYD bosses look to import £8000 city car as Chinese brand continues UK expansion

- MARK TISSHAW

BYD's UK bosses are keen for the Chinese company to offer the low-cost Seagull electric hatchback to British buyers.

No decision has yet been taken, but if the 3.8-metrelong Seagull were to come to the UK, it would most likely be the cheapest electric car on the market. Currently that title is held by the £14,995 Dacia Spring.

In China, the Seagull costs from the equivalent of £8000 - a price at which BYD is understood to make it profitably while still offering a range close to 200 miles.

BYD UK marketing boss Mark Blundell said he is "keen to have it", adding that there's a clear space below the Dolphin family hatchback in the range. In fact, the Seagull is sold as the Dolphin Mini in some markets.

Blundell said it is BYD's strategy to "make electric cars accessible to all" and that keen pricing is part of that.

"EVs shouldn't just be for well-off people," he said. "[We need to] have affordable EVs in the range, not just £50k, £60k, £70k ones."