BYD Enters Romania, Expanding Its European Ambitions

The Chinese giant is bringing both EVs and plug-in hybrid options to the market, hoping to mitigate the impact of EU tariffs.

BYD Launches in Romania

Photo by: Andrei Nedelea

Andrei Nedelea

By: Andrei Nedelea

May 12, 2025 at 12:43pm ET

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BYD is launching in Romania as part of its plan to expand to 12 more European markets this year.
By the end of 2025, BYD will be present in 29 European countries with over 1,000 stores.
BYD aims to become a market share leader within the next five years.

Last week, I attended the national launch of BYD in Romania, the largest and most competitive car market in this region of Europe, where EVs have gained a lot of market share in recent years. BYD is already present in many western European markets, but it intends to expand to 29 countries, and Romania is a key player in its expansion strategy.

This was one of the biggest such events that I’ve ever attended, with over 400 people invited, including not only local car journalists but also influencers and other media personalities. The Chinese car giant rented a large venue with a massive, extravagant stage surrounded by screens and had one of the country’s most renowned musical personalities serve as the MC.

It was clear that BYD invested a lot of effort into making this a large-scale event to showcase not only its resources but also the scope of its ambitions. Several global and local executives were present on stage, each with their own repertoire of good things to say about the company. They all shared a common message: BYD is a technology, innovation and sales powerhouse that wants to sell you your next (electrified) car.

Gallery: BYD Romania Launch

BYD Launches in Romania

Source: Andrei Nedelea

BYD is entering the Romanian market with three crossovers and one sedan. The smallest and cheapest option is the Atto 2, which I got to experience at the event. It looks like a typical compact crossover on the outside, and inside, it impressed me with its generous use of soft-touch surfaces that made the cabin feel almost premium.

That’s definitely something given its €22,600 price tag (roughly $25,000 at current exchange rates), which is an excellent deal for a fully electric, fully featured crossover with a 45.1 kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 194-mile (312-kilometer) WLTP range.

Next up is the BYD Seal electric sedan, which starts at €37,590 ($41,720) or €42,590 ($47,270) for the dual-motor all-wheel-drive model. This is the Tesla Model 3’s closest rival in Europe, offering a more luxurious interior ambiance and a very different approach to design compared to the Tesla.

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The BYD Sealion 7 is probably the most important model in the lineup. The Tesla Model Y is losing popularity in Europe, even with the updated Juniper model bringing significant improvements, and buyers are looking for an alternative. The Sealion 7 is among the most attractive with its €40,590 ($45,050) starting price.

BYD’s fourth model in the country is the Seal U, a plug-in hybrid crossover that promises over 620 miles (1,000 km) of combined combustion and electric range. Its 18.3-kWh battery allows you to drive up to 43 miles (69 km) before the engine wakes up.

The Seal U is BYD’s cheapest midsize offering, with a starting price of €34,890 ($38,723). BYD says the prices include the government incentives for scrapping an old car and buying a plug-in, which are €3,000 for PHEVs and up to €8,700 for pure electric vehicles.