Chinese automaker BYD is accelerating its entry into the South Korean eco-friendly vehicle market with a self-developed hybrid system. After focusing solely on battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the company plans to expand its lineup to include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the second half of this year. Ahead of this launch, BYD unveiled its core technology for the first time in South Korea.
On June 17, BYD Korea held a '2026 DM-i Technology Briefing' in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, where it presented its dedicated PHEV technology. The DM-i system is a hybrid technology developed by BYD that primarily utilizes an electric motor while employing an engine as a supplementary power source.
Kelvin Lai, BYD's Vice President of Product Strategy for Asia-Pacific Passenger Vehicles, stated, "BYD is the world's first to realize PHEV cultivation, and the global cumulative sales of vehicles equipped with DM technology have surpassed 8 million units."
The unveiling of the DM-i technology is a strategic move ahead of the anticipated PHEV model launch later this year. Currently, BYD Korea is focusing on selling BEVs, such as the Atto 3, in the South Korean market, with no other electrified models like hybrids (HEVs) or PHEVs introduced yet.
However, as the BEV lineup gains traction in South Korea, analysts interpret this as a signal that BYD is now targeting the PHEV market. Since entering the South Korean market last year, BYD's sales have increased significantly, from just 10 units sold in March 2022, which accounted for only 0.04% of the imported car market, to 1,032 units (3.46%) sold last month.
While BYD Korea has not disclosed specific sales targets for PHEVs, it predicts that sales will be approximately three times higher than its current electric vehicle sales. This suggests a monthly PHEV sales volume of around 3,000 units. A BYD Korea representative noted, "Given that gasoline and HEVs dominate the market, we expect the demand to be higher than for electric vehicles."
BYD Korea will unveil its upcoming PHEV model at the '2026 Busan Mobility Show' on June 26. Industry insiders speculate that the first model will be the mid-sized SUV 'Sea Lion 6,' which combines an electric motor-driven system with an engine and can travel approximately 100 kilometers on electric power alone. Domestic sales are expected to begin in the second half of this year.
Ultimately, pricing will be crucial. If BYD employs a cost-effective strategy for the PHEV market, competition in South Korea's eco-friendly vehicle sector is likely to intensify. BYD's entry could spark a price competition in the PHEV segment and increase consumer interest, as PHEVs have not received significant attention compared to BEVs and HEVs.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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