BYD Dolphin Surf Gets 5 Stars from EURO NCAP and Will Start Production in Hungary This Year

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In the latest round of EURO NCAP safety testing, the BYD Dolphin Surf (aka Seagull) scored the maximum 5 star rating (along with the Nio Firefly, Hyundai IONIQ 9, smart #5, and MINI Cooper). Although 5-star ratings have become an expectation, they are by no means guaranteed. The BMW 1 Series, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Suzuki e Vitara, MG3, and Citroen C5 Aircross all came up short to score 4 stars. However, when watching the crash test videos of the Dolphin Surf, it is particularly impressive how well it did, considering its size and short crumple zones.

In other news, at IAA, BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li told audiences that the Dolphin Surf will be the first vehicle to be produced at their new plant in Szeged, Hungary. The small car “will lead the BYD vehicles built in Europe for Europe.” Being produced in Europe will shorten delivery times and eliminate tariffs, allowing the company to be more agile in the market.

For those of us in New York City, with car usage more like European cities than most of the US, I am sure a safe, small car “built for NYC” would also sell well here, if we were allowed to bring it over. Unfortunately, politics will prevent that from happening (for now). However, I am also sure it could successfully be built for many other locations around the world as well. It will be interesting to see what products BYD localizes to different global markets next.