Why BYD Names Are So Confusing
BYD renames almost every model when it leaves China — and sometimes gives the same car different names in different export regions. This matters for buyers: when you research reliability, real-world range, or common faults, the deepest data pool is usually under the car’s Chinese name, because China’s fleet is many times larger and has years more service history.
This guide is the cross-reference we wished existed when we started.
The Master Table
| China name | UK / Europe | Australia / NZ | Latin America | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seagull (海鸥) | Dolphin Surf | Atto 1 | Dolphin Mini | One car, four names |
| Yuan Up (元UP) | Atto 2 | Atto 2 | — | Compact SUV |
| Yuan Plus (元PLUS) | Atto 3 | Atto 3 | Yuan Plus (Brazil) | BYD’s global breakout car |
| Dolphin (海豚) | Dolphin | Dolphin | Dolphin | Rare: same name everywhere |
| Seal (海豹) | Seal | Seal | Seal | Same name |
| Seal 06 DM-i (海豹06) | Seal 6 DM-i (+ Touring) | Seal 6 | King (related, Brazil)* | Saloon + estate |
| Qin Plus DM-i (秦PLUS) | — | — | King | Brazil’s best-selling hybrid saloon |
| Song Plus (宋PLUS) | Seal U / Seal U DM-i | Sealion 6 | Song Plus | Three names, one SUV |
| Song Pro (宋Pro) | — | Sealion 5 (NZ) | Song Pro | Brazil-built |
| Sealion 07 (海狮07) | Sealion 7 | Sealion 7 | Sealion 7 | Consistent |
| Tang L (唐L) | — | Sealion 8 | — | Large 7-seat SUV |
| Shark (export-first) | Shark 6 (UK pickup) | Shark 6 | Shark | Developed for export; revealed in Mexico |
| Han (汉) | Han (limited) | — | Han | Flagship saloon |
| Tang (唐) | Tang (limited) | — | Tang | Original 7-seat SUV |
*The Brazil King is based on the Qin Plus DM-i, a close relative of the Seal 06 family. Always check the specific generation when cross-referencing.
The Denza and Premium Brands
BYD’s premium brands also remap for export:
| China brand/model | Export name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Denza D9 (腾势D9) | Denza D9 | Luxury MPV, Europe from 2026 |
| Denza Z9 GT | Denza Z9 GT | Shooting brake, ~€115,000 in Europe |
| Fangchengbao Bao 5 (方程豹·豹5) | Denza B5 | Off-road PHEV SUV, rebadged Denza for export |
| Fangchengbao Bao 8 | Denza B8 | Larger off-roader, shown in SE Asia |
| Yangwang (仰望) U8/U9 | Not yet exported | Million-yuan flagship brand |
Note the pattern: Fangchengbao models become “Denza B-series” abroad — BYD consolidates its four Chinese brands (BYD, Denza, Fangchengbao, Yangwang) into two for export (BYD, Denza).
Why the Renames Happen
- “Ocean” branding for export: Europe gets the marine naming system (Dolphin, Seal, Sealion, Shark) that BYD’s Ocean series uses in China, extended to cars that had Dynasty names (Yuan, Song, Qin, Tang) at home.
- Atto for SUV-shaped value: “Atto” (from attosecond) is the export-only badge for the Yuan family and entry cars.
- Local resonance: “King” works in Brazil where “Qin” (pronounced “chin”) doesn’t; “Dolphin Mini” traded on the Dolphin’s early Latin American success.
- Number inflation: Export names add numbers (Seal 6, Sealion 7, Shark 6, Atto 3) roughly indicating size/positioning tiers within BYD’s export hierarchy.
Practical Tips for Buyers
- Researching faults or real-world range? Search the Chinese name too (or browse translated China-market owner forums) — the sample size is 10–50x larger. Example: “Yuan Plus 12V battery” surfaces fixes that predate identical Atto 3 complaints in Europe by a year.
- Watching reviews on YouTube? Latin American reviews of the “Dolphin Mini” apply to the Dolphin Surf/Atto 1 — same car, minor spec differences (the export versions usually get more airbags, ESC tuning, and different charging hardware).
- Buying parts or accessories? Cross-shop under all the names. Floor mats listed for “BYD Yuan Plus” fit an Atto 3; “Seagull” accessories usually fit the Dolphin Surf, but verify year/generation.
- Spec differences are real: export cars typically differ in charging curve (CCS vs GB/T), ADAS tuning, suspension, and sometimes battery size. Use the Chinese data for mechanical/reliability insight, and local WLTP specs for range and charging.
What’s Likely to Come Next
Because China’s lineup runs 12–24 months ahead of export markets, the Chinese catalogue is a preview of your local BYD showroom. Cars currently big in China but not yet (fully) exported include the Qin L, Seal 06 GT, Xia MPV (the base for the export M9), and the Fangchengbao Tai/Bao families that inform models like the Ti7 SUV confirmed for the UK. See BYD models coming in 2026–2027.
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