BYD sales in Galway have grown exponentially in 2025 with the brand already firmly in the top-three for Electric and Plug-In Hybrid combined new car sales between January and April this year.

According to the company, sales of BYD in Galway have grown 430% year-on-year with the brand currently holding a 9% market share of all new PHEV and EV’s sold in Galway this year.

Represented in Galway by renowned motor retailers Cunningham Autopoint at Carnmore West on the Oranmore to Claregalway road, the BYD range of passenger cars currently comprises of five models, one PHEV and four EVs.

Its latest addition, the BYD Sealion 7, is a mid-size performance electric SUV designed under the leadership of Wolfgang Egger, BYD’s Global Design Director. Egger, a renowned German car designer, previously held prominent positions at European luxury car brands such as Alfa Romeo, Audi, and Lamborghini.

Offering a blend of performance, technology and practicality, the Sealion 7 is available in both single motor 313BHP and Dual Motor 530BHP guises.

With a spacious cabin with seating for five, interior highlights include a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, premium materials, heated and ventilated front seats, wireless 50w phone charging and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability. Advanced driver-assistance systems included intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane assist, front and rear cross traffic assist to name a few.

The BYD SEAL U Super Hybrid SUV was launched in late 2024 and has already become a firm Galway favourite in the Plug In Hybrid segment. The Seal U is the second best-selling Plug In Hybrid vehicle year to date in Galway this year, ahead of long-established Plug In Hybrid versions of the Toyota Rav 4, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Santa Fe to name a few.

A leading name for motoring in County Galway for more than 30 years, Cunningham Autopoint operates BYD Galway from a high-profile premises, located just off exit 19 of the M6 motorway at Carnmore West , North of Oranmore, on the eastern approach to Galway city.

Currently five models make up the BYD range available at Cunningham Autopoint. In Addition to the Sealion 7 and Seal U DM-I mentioned above the range also includes the BYD ATTO 3, a crossover sized EV, the BYD DOLPHIN which is a compact C-segment hatchback and the ‘strikingly sporty’ 4-door D-segment sedan, the BYD SEAL. Four additional models are expected to be introduced in Ireland over the coming 12 months.

“As well as our customers being more than impressed with the value and performance that BYD vehicles offer, we ourselves are blown away by the quality and technical superiority of the BYD product,” said Niall Cunningham, managing director at Cunningham Autopoint.

“We are thrilled with the opportunity it offers us to give our customers a new and exciting alternative for their next car purchase. Our experienced and professional team are very proud to represent the BYD brand in Galway.”

Now 30 years in business, BYD has its manufacturing base in China and has announced plans to construct a European plant in Hungary.

Since its arrival, BYD has been warmly welcomed by motor industry commentators and by its growing community of owners – a fact recognised by its success as one of Ireland’s top-selling EV model ranges, and by the achievement of BYD ATTO 3 in winning the coveted ‘Continental Irish Small Compact SUV 2024’ award and the success of the BYD SEAL winning the ‘Continental Irish Large Car of the Year 2025’ award, presented by members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland.

Hallmarks of BYD models are its wide range of all-inclusive standard features, highly competitive price offering and the appeal its range has for eco-friendly Irish motorists keen to embrace lower cost motoring. In addition, all components are manufactured by BYD in-house, including its unique cobalt-free Blade Battery, ePlatform 3.0 and intelligent Super DM (Dual Mode) technology.

■ For more information, log on to www.bydgalway.ie or call Cunningham Autopoint on (091) 383000.

Pictured: The BYD Sealion.