In an interview with the German newspaper Handelsblatt, BYD Germany CEO Lars Bialkowski stated: “We want to achieve the target we set last year and exceed the 50,000 mark.” Europe CEO Stella Li had initially announced that goal for 2025. However, the target proved unrealistic, as BYD began 2025 with just 26 dealership locations but made significant progress, ending the year with 150 signed dealership and service locations.
To achieve 50,000 new registrations in Germany this year and more than double last year’s sales, BYD plans to expand its dealership network to at least 350 locations by the end of 2026. In recent weeks alone, 40 new outlets have been added: “We currently have around 190 sales outlets, and by the end of the year, we aim to have at least 350,” Bialkowski told the newspaper.
The executive, who joined from Stellantis and has been in office since 1 June 2025, highlighted the growing importance of plug-in hybrids for BYD in Germany and Europe. The Chinese brand, which initially launched in Europe with battery-electric vehicles only, achieved a PHEV share of 40.6% of all new registrations in January 2026, according to data from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). BEVs accounted for 59.4%. Of the 2,629 new BYD vehicles registered, 1,561 were BEVs, and 1,068 were PHEVs.
The BYD Seal U DM-i was the most successful PHEV in Europe in 2025, according to Handelsblatt. Meanwhile, the BYD Seal 6 DM-i, BYD’s first estate model in Europe and also a PHEV, is increasingly visible on German roads. The current focus on PHEVs may not only reflect customer preferences but also the fact that PHEV imports into the EU are not subject to the same additional tariffs as pure electric vehicles. BYD aims to further accelerate its PHEV sales this year, targeting a 5% market share in Germany, Bialkowski said. For BEVs, the target is 4%. Across all drive types, BYD is aiming for 1.5% to 2% of the total market. For comparison: last year, BYD held 0.8% of the German market, slightly ahead of Tesla (0.7%).
To rapidly boost sales in Germany, BYD is currently offering substantial discounts on its electric vehicles. For example, the battery-electric compact car BYD Dolphin Surf is now available at a promotional price of €18,900. After deducting the new state electric vehicle subsidy of up to €6,000, the small electric vehicle could cost as little as €12,900 in the best-case scenario. The electric SUV BYD Seal U is reduced to €34,990, and after state subsidies, the final price could drop to €28,990.
handelsblatt.com (in German)
