BYD to launch third-gen Qin Plus on October 27 with larger body and roof-mounted LiDAR

• The third-generation Qin Plus grows to 4,840 mm in length and will add roof-mounted LiDAR.
• The redesign comes as the Qin series faces sales pressure, with volume down 54.71% year-on-year in the first 9 months.

BYD's (HKEX: 1211) third-generation Qin Plus will officially launch on October 27, marking a redesign of the key family sedan as sales of the Qin series come under pressure.

Auto Home reported the launch date on Friday, citing official information. BYD has yet to announce the plan through its own official channels.

BYD has released exterior and interior images of the third-generation Qin Plus in recent days, though pricing has yet to be disclosed.

The redesign brings larger dimensions, new exterior and interior styling, and roof-mounted LiDAR, adding selling points to the entry-level model in the Qin lineup.

The new model measures 4,840 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width and 1,498 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,800 mm. Those dimensions are up 60 mm, 63 mm, 17 mm and 82 mm, respectively, from the current model.

The exterior features a wide front fascia, a fastback profile and full-width taillights with a Chinese knot design, along with a new island blue paint option. BYD has not disclosed which trims will offer LiDAR.

The cabin adopts the Dynasty lineup's new design language, featuring a 2-spoke multifunction steering wheel, a floating central touchscreen and partially concealed air vents, while retaining some physical buttons.

Lu Tian, general manager of BYD's Dynasty sales division, said when releasing interior images on October 22 that the new model incorporates user feedback, adding storage space and upgrading the seats and panoramic sunroof.

According to regulatory filings, the plug-in hybrid version uses a 1.5-liter engine producing 74 kW and an electric motor with a peak output of 120 kW. The battery electric version has a motor rated at a peak of 100 kW.

For price reference, the outgoing Qin Plus includes EV and DM-i variants priced from 79,800 yuan ($11,880) to 131,800 yuan.

The Qin family also includes the Qin L and the higher-positioned Qin Max, which launched in August. Both offer battery electric and plug-in hybrid variants.

The redesign comes as the key model family faces declining sales. The Qin lineup sold 23,472 vehicles in September, down 65.27% year-on-year but up 7.54% from August, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.

In the first 9 months of this year, cumulative Qin lineup sales totaled 207,589 vehicles, down 54.71% year-on-year.