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BYD wins design patent for 2-door microcar with styling distinct from Seagull

person Priya Sharma

calendar_today November 10, 2026 at 12:30 PM

schedule 3 min read

Front three-quarter patent rendering of BYD

Summary

BYD has been granted a Chinese design patent for a rounded 2-door microcar whose styling differs markedly from its smallest current model, the Seagull. Powertrain, dimensions and production plans remain undisclosed, though the design resembles Smart's new all-electric #2 city car.

Front three-quarter patent rendering of BYD's 2-door microcar, featuring a rounded body and horizontal lighting design. — BYD's 2-door microcar design in a patent rendering. Powertrain details, dimensions and production plans remain undisclosed.

Patent images show a 2-door microcar with styling that differs markedly from BYD's smallest model, the Seagull.

The filing does not disclose the powertrain, dimensions or seating capacity.

BYD (HKEX: 1211) has been granted a design patent depicting a 2-door microcar, offering fresh clues to its small-car design direction, though production plans remain unclear.

The patent was filed on December 18, 2025, with BYD named as the patent holder, according to a document published Tuesday by the China National Intellectual Property Administration.

The application number is 202530748612.8, and the grant publication number is CN 310308323 S. The 5 listed designers include BYD's global design director, Wolfgang Josef Egger.

The vehicle in the patent images features a rounded, compact body with 1 large door on each side, short front and rear overhangs, and wheels positioned close to the corners.

Patent drawings showing front, rear, overhead and front three-quarter views of BYD's 2-door microcar design. — Multiple views of BYD's microcar design, featuring similar front and rear styling.

Patent drawings showing side profiles and a rear three-quarter view of BYD's rounded 2-door microcar design. — Side and rear views of BYD's 2-door microcar design, shown in a patent published on November 10, 2026.

The front and rear feature similar horizontal lighting designs, with curved contours below creating a "smiling" appearance. The overall styling differs markedly from the Seagull, currently BYD's smallest model.

Its design is similar to that of the Smart #2, which was recently launched by Smart — the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely Auto (HKEX: 0175) — and serves as the all-electric successor to the classic two-seater city car, the ForTwo.

Smart debuted the production version of the Smart #2 for the first time globally at the Paris Motor Show on October 12 and announced the launch of the Gold Couture Edition in China, with an official retail price of 112,999 yuan ($16,820).

Last week, Smart announced the launch of the Smart #2 Premium Edition in China, with a limited-time promotional price starting at 99,900 yuan.

The filing identifies the BYD product as a "vehicle" intended to carry passengers or provide transportation, with its shape as the key design feature. It does not disclose a model name, dimensions, seating capacity or powertrain.

The images alone therefore do not establish whether the vehicle would use an all-electric powertrain or enter production.

The patent publication comes as BYD reshapes its small-car lineup. The company launched the second-generation Seagull on October 20, increasing its length by 425 mm to 4,205 mm and expanding seating capacity from 4 to 5.

Overseas, BYD launched the Racco, an all-electric kei car developed specifically for Japan, on July 28 this year, further expanding its presence in the small-car segment.

Nikkei's Chinese-language website reported on August 31 that BYD planned to use the Racco's X-PACK technology to develop small electric vehicles (EVs) for Europe and other markets. The technology integrates electrical components such as the inverter into the battery pack to free up interior space.