BYD’s rival to the Tesla Model Y made a big splash in December, posting a new monthly sales record and nearly cracking the top three nameplates in the process.
The mid-size electric SUV only launched in February 2025, but has gained solid traction in a very competitive market. Last month, it posted 2547 registrations, placing it in fourth overall just behind the Toyota HiLux (2622) but ahead of the popular Ford Everest (2149).
It also meant the Sealion 7 was well ahead of its arch nemesis, the Model Y (1998), though the Tesla still managed to finish the year as Australia’s favourite electric vehicle (EV) overall, with 22,239 units for the year – compared to the BYD’s 13,410.
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The Sealion 7 was BYD’s second-best seller behind the plug-in hybrid Shark 6 dual-cab ute (18,073), and together they spearheaded the Chinese brand’s record year-end tally of 52,415 units in 2025, and an eighth-place finish in the manufacturer’s sales race.
BYD beat out Isuzu Ute (42,297) and MG (41,298), which rounded out the top 10, and trailed seventh-placed GWM by just 400 units (52,809). For the month of December, BYD placed fourth overall with 6743 units.
The Chinese electrified vehicle specialist hopes to continue that momentum into 2026, as it launches a slew of new models. Only just hitting the market are the all-electric Atto 1 city hatch and Atto 2 small SUV, with the plug-in hybrid Sealion 5 and Sealion 8 SUVs due to hit the Australian market in the coming months.
Following its official release in November, the Atto 2 has already returned 896 registrations to the end of December.
Beyond the confines of the BYD stable, the Sealion 7 put in a very solid showing in the wider medium SUV segment – which is unquestionably the most competitive new vehicle category in the Australian auto market.
Having only launched in February, the Sealion 7’s 13,410-unit result in 2025 bettered that of the GWM Haval H6 (13,217), Honda CR-V (5595) and Volkswagen Tiguan (3664), and wasn’t all that far behind segment favourites like the Nissan X-Trail (15,708) and Subaru Forester (15,179).
The BYD Sealion 7 is currently offered in two variants in Australia, with prices starting from $54,990 before on-road costs.
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