World-leading Chinese new-energy vehicle (NEV) and technology company BYD on Thursday, December 4, officially launched the plug-in hybrid BYD Sealion 5 sports-utility vehicle in South Africa – confirming retail pricing for the two variants at R499 900 for the Comfort, and R569 900 for the Dynamic.

BYD says this makes the Sealion 5 the most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle currently available to the South African market.

BYD Auto South Africa marketing director Nomonde Kweyi told Engineering News that the launch helped to reaffirm BYD’s commitment to solving South Africa’s energy and mobility challenges through advanced, but accessible technology.

“The only way that a brand like BYD, which offers premium NEV solutions, can do that is to really participate in the entire ecosystem. Range anxiety is a thing in South Africa. We don't have enough charging infrastructure, and . . . that is the first question [a potential customer] asks. This is why we have a hybrid solution, so that people have options.”

Further, she noted that BYD had partnered with State-owned power utility Eskom to roll out 200 to 300 charging stations during the course of 2026 and seeks to “lead the ecosystem and value chain” by offering not only vehicles that are accessible from a pricing perspective but taking away the “range anxiety”.

She stressed the focus on accessibility, noting that BYD’s dealerships – which will expand from 18 to 30 by the end of the first quarter of 2026 – and its network would span the entire nation, “not just in premium locations, but also in what you would describe as your lower-income locations, which speaks to allowing more people to experience the productivity and the efficiency of electric vehicles”.

She added that the company had “complete respect and understanding” of the South African market and the broader economic climate and had priced this model accordingly.

This also aligned with BYD’s intention to help shape the narrative and educate South Africans on the benefits of new-energy solutions by “giving back to society through education, through accessibility to vehicles they would otherwise not be able to access, through the technology as well as by providing finance packages that are truly affordable”.

BYD Auto South Africa MD Steve Chang added that “we believe South African families shouldn't have to choose between cutting-edge efficiency, premium features and financial peace of mind. The Sealion 5 delivers all three, proving that you can step into the future of driving without a luxury price tag”.

THE NUTS & BOLTS

The Sealion 5, which is powered by BYD’s electric-first Dual-Mode Intelligent (DM-i) hybrid platform comprises a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, for a total output of 156 kW.

It combines “practicality with intelligent technology”, boasting a 12.8-inch infotainment screen, intelligent voice control, keyless entry and wireless charging.

It also has some “family-focused touches”, such as a “spacious second row”, generous boot and electric tailgate.

Premium features such as heated and ventilated driver seats, 360° camera with parking sensors, sunroof and sunshade, front electric seats, and multiple USB A and C charging points offer comfort and convenience to both variants.

The Sealion 5 also includes BYD’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing the car to act as a portable power source – a feature increasingly relevant in South Africa.

The launch and pricing announcement follow sustained momentum from BYD’s South African expansion, driven by the company’s global innovation ecosystem spanning batteries, solar, energy storage and NEVs.

“South Africans want efficiency, quality and value without compromising on performance,” says BYD Auto South Africa commercial director Mark Handley, who also announced an upcoming financing solution created in partnership with financial service provider Absa for Sealion 5 buyers.

The Sealion 5 joins BYD’s growing local portfolio of pure electric and plug-in hybrid models including the Dolphin Surf, Sealion 6, Sealion 7, Shark 6, Seal and others.

Commenting on the speed of these launches, given BYD only entered the South Africa market in 2023, Kweyi stated: “There is a sense of urgency because South Africa is a very important market in the global sphere. We've just had the G20 and South Africa is the gateway to Africa.

“We have to move very quickly. People need to understand the solutions offering, the benefits of electrification, and the sustainability mandate that the government has and that BYD supports.”

She affirmed that the idea around scaling rapidly was not necessarily about making a profit quickly, but about the market’s long-term viability. “We’re a business. We’re commercially driven of course, but we also have integrity around the way we do business. ‘Build your dream’ is not just a slogan; it really is about going into a market and changing the dynamics.”