BYD’s New $9,900 Seagull Charges in 5 Minutes — Car News, Oct 20

BYD Seagull, Gen 2

BYD’s second-gen Seagull goes on sale in China

The first Seagull was already one of the world’s best-selling EVs. BYD has now rebuilt it almost from scratch, and the new one went on sale in China this week as the brand’s cheapest electric car there.

Start with the price. Five versions run from 65,900 to 99,900 yuan, about $9,900 to $15,000. That base price is actually lower than the old car’s 69,900 yuan, and a trade-in deal drops it to 62,900 yuan, roughly $9,500.

Now the headline trick. With BYD’s Flash Charging, the Seagull goes from 10% to 70% in five minutes and 10% to 97% in nine. Even at minus 30°C, BYD claims 20% to 97% in 12 minutes. For comparison, plenty of EVs costing four or five times as much still need 20 to 30 minutes for a similar top-up.

It is also a much bigger car. Length grows by 425 mm to 4,205 mm, the wheelbase stretches 150 mm, and it now seats five instead of four. Drive moves from the front wheels to the rear, power jumps from 55 kW (75 hp) to 85 or 95 kW (up to 127 hp), and a multi-link rear suspension replaces the simpler old setup.

Two Blade Battery 2.0 LFP packs are offered: 30.1 kWh for 320 km (199 miles) and 39.2 kWh for 420 km (261 miles), both on China’s generous CLTC test. Expect less in real driving.

Inside, there is a 15.6-inch screen, more physical buttons, a 50W wireless charger and front seats that heat, cool and massage. An optional driver-assist pack even adds roof-mounted lidar.

Why it matters to you: outside China, the Seagull is sold as the Dolphin Surf and Dolphin Mini. BYD is expected to bring this bigger, upgraded version abroad under those names, though no dates or prices are set. Export prices will be higher once shipping, taxes and local specs are added, but the gap between budget EVs and expensive ones just shrank again. Rival small-car makers now face an awkward question: why does yours charge slower and cost more?

Corolla EV

The Corolla is going electric, and it will be built in China

The next-generation Toyota Corolla will add a fully electric version, built by Toyota’s joint venture with China’s FAW Group, according to reports cited by Electrek. It will be the first Corolla on Toyota’s “multipathway” platform, which takes gas, hybrid and electric power. Expect a 2027 debut, production from 2028, and an EV with single- or dual-motor setups and at least 250 miles of range. Car and Driver estimates around $30,000 for the EV. Whether it reaches the US is unclear. In East Africa, where the Corolla is a staple, the bigger news may be the new 1.5-liter hybrid, said to be 10–20% more efficient than today’s car.

Subaru in Europe

Subaru will sell only EVs in Europe from 2028

Subaru is phasing out its gas and mild-hybrid boxer models in Europe by the end of 2027, blaming EU emissions and driver-assist rules. The Outback goes first, at the end of 2026, followed by the Impreza, Crosstrek and Forester in 2027. That leaves three Toyota-developed EVs: the Solterra, E-Outback and Uncharted. The change is Europe-only; US hybrids stay. Subaru also showed a disguised Outback test EV with 509 hp and a sub-4-second 0–100 km/h time, a preview of its own EV platform due around 2029.

GM Earnings

GM earns more while selling fewer cars, launches $20B buyback

General Motors posted $50.0 billion in third-quarter revenue, up 2.9%, and net income of $3.3 billion, up from $1.3 billion a year ago. Its US share slipped to 16.1% from 16.8%, yet profit rose. GM finished its $6 billion buyback and approved a new $20 billion one. EV-related charges fell to $238 million, from $1.6 billion a year earlier, a sign the costly reset of its EV plans is mostly behind it.

Ford Recall

102,159 Ford trucks recalled over stuck speedometers

Ford is recalling 102,159 F-Series trucks in the US because the analog speedometer and tachometer can stick or jump around, giving wrong readings, according to NHTSA. It covers certain 2025–2026 Super Duty F-250 to F-600 trucks plus 2026 F-150 and F-750 models. Dealers will replace the instrument cluster for free. If you drive one, check your VIN on NHTSA’s site.