BYD opens blind pre-orders for larger, more powerful second-gen Seagull EV in China

• BYD has not announced pre-order prices for the second-generation Seagull, which is 425 mm longer than its predecessor.
• Seagull sales rose year-on-year for a second consecutive month in September, but sales in the first 9 months remained down 33.22%.

BYD (HKEX: 1211) has opened pre-orders for the second-generation Seagull in China, moving toward the launch of a larger, more powerful successor as the small battery-electric vehicle's year-to-date sales remain under pressure.

Zhang Zhuo, general manager of BYD's Ocean lineup sales division, announced the move on Weibo on Friday, and unveiled 6 exterior color options.

Zhang did not disclose pre-order prices for the second-generation Seagull. Such reservations, known as blind pre-orders, are a common marketing practice among Chinese automakers. They may be followed by pre-sales with indicative pricing or proceed directly to an official launch.

The announcement did not specify a launch date. Zhang said in an interview in August that the new model would launch this year.

A significantly larger body is among the second-generation Seagull's main changes. The car measures 4,205 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width and 1,570 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,650 mm, according to earlier filings with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Compared with its predecessor, the new model is 425 mm longer and has a 150 mm longer wheelbase. Seating capacity increases from 4 to 5, bringing its dimensions closer to those of the BYD Dolphin.

Both variants in the earlier filings feature a permanent-magnet synchronous motor with a maximum output of 95 kW (127 hp), up from the previous generation's 55 kW, and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

Of the 2 variants, 1 offers optional LiDAR and additional radar hardware. BYD introduced a LiDAR option on the 2026 Seagull launched in May this year.

The newly released poster shows 6 exterior colors — green, pink, orange, blue, white and gray — along with a redesigned front end and trident-style lights.

The second-generation Seagull will also feature a steering-column-mounted gear selector, power-adjustable front seats, a massage function for the driver's seat and a 94-liter frunk. Rear cargo capacity expands to as much as 1,380 liters with the rear seats folded down.

For reference, the previous-generation Seagull's 2026 model was launched in May with a price range of 69,900 yuan ($10,380) to 85,900 yuan, with LiDAR available at an additional cost on selected variants.

The Seagull is a key sales contributor to BYD's Ocean lineup. The model sold 529,537 vehicles in 2025, with cumulative sales reaching about 1.55 million from its launch in April 2023 through the end of September this year, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.

Seagull sales totaled 38,650 vehicles in September, up 11.75% year-on-year and 7.05% from August, marking a second consecutive month of year-on-year growth.

However, sales in the first 9 months totaled 265,901 vehicles, down 33.22% year-on-year. The recent recovery in monthly sales narrowed the decline from 37.50% in the first 8 months.