BYD Sealion 08 draws over 12,000 firm orders on its first day in China

BYD's newest Ocean Series SUV is off to a hot start, with the company confirming more than 12,000 firm orders in the model's first 24 hours on sale. Zhang Zhuo, who heads sales for the Ocean Series division, disclosed the figure shortly after launch. The Sealion 08 spans eight trim levels, priced from 229,900 yuan (33,800 USD) up to 279,900 yuan (41,200 USD), and buyers can choose between plug-in hybrid and fully electric drivetrains.

Styled after the Ocean S concept, the crossover pairs split headlights with a full-width light bar up front and carries a roof-mounted lidar for its driver-assistance suite. Every trim ships with the God's Eye B system built on the God's Eye 5.0 platform, which covers automated parking and urban navigation support. The cabin follows the Ocean Aesthetics 2.0 theme in a light beige palette, with mother-of-pearl trim, oval chrome vents and a floating touchscreen. Five- and six-seat layouts are offered; six-seaters gain second-row captain's chairs, and rear occupants can also get a ceiling-mounted entertainment display.

PHEV versions combine a 115 kW 1.5-litre turbo engine with fifth-generation DM hardware, in single- or dual-motor form rated at 200 kW per motor. They claim up to 400 km of electric range and 1,650 km combined on the CLTC cycle, burning 4.6 L/100 km with a depleted battery. The EV line offers single motors of 320 kW or 370 kW, plus a dual-motor setup with 215 kW up front and 370 kW at the rear, drawing on 92.093 kWh or 115.072 kWh packs for claimed ranges of 800 or 900 km. Under suitable charging conditions, BYD's fast-charging tech delivers a usable top-up in five minutes and a full charge in nine.

Higher-spec tech includes the DiSus-A body-control system, dual-chamber air suspension with road preview, and rear-wheel steering. The article's editor notes that every variant carries the second-generation Blade battery as standard — although BYD is still grappling with production bottlenecks for that pack.