Chinese carmaker BYD launches in Czech Republic with electric and hybrid models

BYD (Build Your Dream), China’s largest car manufacturer, has officially entered the Czech and Slovak markets, launching sales of its electric and hybrid vehicles. The company initially offers two electric models and one hybrid, available through three dealerships. By the end of 2025, BYD plans to expand to 30 sales points in the Czech Republic and add around 20 in Slovakia, company representatives announced at a press conference in Prague.

The company’s Czech and Slovak operations are led by Martin Heřmanský, former regional director for Harley-Davidson and previously affiliated with Ford and Fiat. The first cars available include the Seal U DM-i hybrid and the fully electric Seal sedan. The hybrid model has a starting price of under CZK 970,000, while electric versions cost approximately CZK 200,000 more. The vehicles offer an electric range exceeding 520 kilometres.

The Czech market is already home to several other Chinese automotive brands, including Chery, MG, and DongFeng, with BAIC expected to join soon. Some Tesla and Honda vehicles sold in the Czech Republic are also produced in China. Analysts note that the growing presence of Chinese carmakers in Europe is driven in part by high production volumes in Asia and limited access to the U.S. market due to trade restrictions.

Last year, imports of Chinese-made cars to the Czech Republic more than doubled. In 2024, Czech buyers purchased 7,675 vehicles of Chinese origin, up from 3,516 in the previous year. These accounted for 3.3% of new passenger car registrations.

Founded in 1995 in Shenzhen, BYD began as a battery manufacturer before expanding into automotive production in 2003. Its first model, the BYD F3, launched in 2005 and was based on the Toyota Corolla. In 2024, BYD sold 4.3 million vehicles globally, making it the seventh-largest carmaker in the world by volume.

Source: CTK