Does the BYD seal cost a Tesla Model 3 competitor in the Netherlands?
BYD has announced pricing for the Seal, a car that will compete with electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3. But is the price competitive enough?
In terms of price, it’s difficult to compete with Tesla. The brand has sparked a veritable price war. It’s sometimes impossible for established manufacturers to offer a comparable EV for the same money, but you can expect new Chinese manufacturers to succeed.
BYD seal vs. Tesla Model 3
BYD is a Chinese manufacturer new to the Netherlands. Still, they choose to market the Seal significantly more expensive than the Tesla Model 3.
You can now buy a Tesla Model 3 from 42,990 euros. For this money you get a white car with 18-inch wheels, 325 hp and a battery that can travel 513 kilometers according to the WLTP measurement method.
The BYD Seal is available from 47,990 euros. For that money you get slightly larger wheels, 19 inches, and you have a bigger battery. The entry-level model has a range of 570 kilometers based on the WLTP measurement method. This electric vehicle produces 313 hp.
Why is the Seal so much more expensive than the Tesla Model 3? BYD tells Autovisie that the Seal’s processing quality and features are significantly better.
We can already confirm this in part, because the interior of the BYD Seal is simply more lavishly equipped than the Tesla Model 3. Behind the steering wheel you will find both a rotating central display and a digital clock panel. The Tesla interior is simply plain and very plain compared to the Chinese competitor. But whether you want to pay an extra 5,000 euros for it.
BYD makes big promises in terms of build quality, but whether they’re true remains to be seen. After all, the cars have only just entered the Dutch market. If you want to keep up to date with the tests of future BYDs and Teslas, subscribe to Autovisie Magazine. Also read Autovisie’s visit to BYD’s battery factory in Chongqing, China in Issue 18.
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