BYD introduced its Sealion 6 DM-i hybrid SUV to the South Korean market on June 26, 2026, and began accepting pre-orders. Credit: BYD
- The plug-in hybrid SUV is BYD’s first hybrid model in South Korea, targeting the local family-user market.
- The move is a key step in BYD’s plan to top 10,000 vehicle sales in South Korea in 2026.
BYD (HKEX: 1211) introduced its Sealion 6 DM-i hybrid SUV (sport utility vehicle) to the South Korean market and launched pre-sales, marking the first time it has brought a hybrid model to the Asian country.
The Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker presented the model on June 26 at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show held at BEXCO in Busan, with a pre-order starting price of 37.5 million won ($24,430).
It is the first hybrid model BYD has debuted in South Korea, marking a further expansion of the Chinese NEV giant’s local lineup.
The Sealion 6 DM-i, sold as the Sealion 06 DM-i in its home market of China, is a core model in BYD’s global SUV lineup, which has sold more than 1.1 million units worldwide.
Since launching the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in 2008, BYD has sold more than 8 million hybrid vehicles.
The model uses BYD’s DM-i (Dual Mode-intelligent) technology, built on an “electric-first” design philosophy. Unlike conventional hybrids, the DM-i prioritizes the performance and quietness of an EV, with the engine mainly used to improve efficiency.
This allows users to commute like an EV on weekdays and travel long distances on weekends without frequent charging. The system can switch seamlessly between pure electric, series, parallel, series-parallel and engine-only modes.
The Sealion 6 DM-i is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, with newly developed control software tailored to Korean certification standards and driving conditions. The engine delivers a maximum output of 96 kilowatts (129 hp) and peak torque of 220 Nm.
The model’s motor delivers a maximum output of 150 kilowatts and peak torque of 300 Nm.
It uses BYD’s signature lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery, with a capacity of 18.3 kilowatt-hours. The vehicle offers a range of up to 70 kilometers in EV mode.
The car also supports V2L power output of up to 3.3 kilowatts, as well as DC fast charging at up to 18 kilowatts, allowing charging from 30% to 80% in about 30 minutes.
It comes standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 15.6-inch intelligent cockpit system, supporting 4G connectivity, cloud services and over-the-air (OTA) software updates, while being compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The launch of the Sealion 6 DM-i is BYD’s latest move to accelerate its presence in the South Korean market. BYD has previously said it plans to sell more than 10,000 vehicles in South Korea in 2026.
The target represents a 64% increase from its 6,107 passenger car sales in 2025, which was the first year BYD officially entered South Korea’s passenger car market.
BYD Korea has previously said that 2025 was a “honeymoon period” during which it worked closely with its dealer partners to lay the groundwork, while this year will mark the first year of its full-fledged leap into South Korea’s passenger car market.
BYD plans to add three models in South Korea in 2026, including a rear-wheel-drive Seal, a Dolphin compact hatchback and a model equipped with DM-i technology. The Sealion 6 DM-i marks the start of its plug-in hybrid push.
South Korea has a strong auto industry, with local Hyundai Motor Group among the world’s largest automakers, while General Motors and Renault also have a deep presence there. BYD is seeking a breakthrough in this fiercely competitive market.
BYD management expressed confidence in achieving 1.5 million vehicle exports in 2026.
($1 = 1,535.13 won)
