Chinese EV makes history at New York Auto Show with World Car Awards win

BYD Seagull wins over jurors with smart design and city-friendly features

The Seagull made it to the final shortlist, alongside the Hyundai Inster/Casper Electric and Mini Cooper Electric. To qualify, vehicles had to be available in at least two major markets across two continents, have annual production exceeding 5,000 units, and measure no longer than 4.25 meters.

According to Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, the award reflects growing global recognition of BYD’s approach to accessible electric mobility.

“This achievement reflects our commitment to providing sustainable technologies and exceptional service to customers worldwide. At BYD, we are dedicated to accelerating green mobility and contributing to the global effort to ‘Cool the Earth by 1 °C’.” Li explained.

Last year, BYD achieved notable recognition on the global stage, with the BYD Dolphin named among the top three finalists for the “World Urban Car” award. At the same time, the BYD Seal earned a spot as one of the top three contenders for the highly regarded “World Car of the Year” category. 

A range of 251 miles, fast charging, and key safety features

Since its debut in 2023, the Seagull has become BYD’s fastest-selling electric mini car in China, with over 500,000 units sold by July 2024.  The 2025 Seagull starts at approximately $9,540. It’s powered by a front-mounted 55 kW (74 hp) electric motor and offers two battery options: a 30.1 kWh pack with a 189-mile range or a 38.9 kWh pack delivering 252 miles of range. The vehicle includes fast charging, a 12.8-inch infotainment display, heated front seats, and USB fast-charging ports. 

The car’s safety features include autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warnings. The latest Seagull model introduces the advanced DiPilot 100 intelligent driving system, enhancing its entry-level EV appeal. This system employs a combination of 12 high-definition cameras, 5 millimeter-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors to provide comprehensive 360-degree environmental awareness.

Powered by the NVIDIA Orin N chip, delivering 100 TOPS (trillions of operations per second), DiPilot 100 supports several driver-assistance features, including highway autopilot, memory navigation, and automated parking, surpassing typical Level 2 autonomy standards.

Over the past three decades, the Chinese company has evolved from a rechargeable battery manufacturer into a global player in EVs and renewable energy solutions. BYD now operates in over 70 countries and regions, with its new energy passenger cars available in more than 400 cities worldwide. The company’s Zero Emissions Energy Solution integrates affordable solar power generation, reliable energy storage, and electrified transportation.