BYD Dolphin Mini, The Car the US Will Never Have, Secures World Urban Car Award

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BYD had already been nominated twice to the World Car Awards. This year, it happened: BYD became the first Chinese automaker to clinch a prestigious World Car Award.

The spotlight shone on the BYD Seagull (also known elsewhere as the Dolphin Mini) as it was announced as the 2025 World Urban Car at the New York International Auto Show. This win meant the BYD Seagull edged out 11 other competitors from around the world, not only a clear sign of the growing strength of the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market, but also a big loss for the North American market (particularly the US) which has been shunning electric cars from China.

What struck the panel of 96 veteran automotive journalists was the BYD Seagull’s innovative “Ocean Aesthetics” design, coupled with its high safety standards and advanced smart driving features. The vehicle has also earned international acclaim and is consistently a top-seller in several major markets.

Why the Seagull Flew High

The BYD Seagull emerged victorious against an initial pool of 12 contenders for the World Urban Car award, ultimately surpassing the Hyundai Inster/Casper Electric (last year’s winner) and the Mini Cooper Electric, which made up the final shortlist. To be eligible, vehicles needed to be available in at least two major markets across two continents, have an annual production exceeding 5,000 units, and measure no more than 4.25 meters. The Seagull met all these criteria to claim the top honor.

This win marks another significant achievement for BYD within the World Car Awards. Just last year, the BYD Dolphin was a top 3 finalist in the same category, while the BYD Seal received a nomination for World Car of the Year.

Not in the US

Available first in China, the Seagull’s autonomous driving version now has a starting price of 69,800 yuan (approximately $9,540 USD) before subsidies. If it can hurdle regulations in the Middle East, Australia, and even Canada, the car will be made available to those markets. It will most likely, at least while the Trump administration still holds power, never be available in the US.

The compact EV measures 3,780 mm in length, 1,715 mm in width, and 1,540 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,500 mm. It is powered by a front-mounted 55 kW (74 hp) electric motor. Buyers have the option of two lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs: a 30.1 kWh unit providing a 305 km (CLTC) range, or a larger 38.9 kWh version offering 405 km (CLTC) of range. The Seagull also features fast charging capabilities, a 12.8-inch infotainment display, heated front seats, and USB fast-charging ports. Standard safety features include autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warnings.

The latest 2025 Seagull introduces advanced driver-assistance features to the entry-level EV market, including highway autopilot, memory navigation, and automated parking, exceeding typical Level 2 autonomy. Its DiPilot 100 system utilizes a comprehensive array of twelve cameras, five radars, and twelve ultrasonic sensors.

Receiving the Award, Stella Li

From the stage, Stella Li, BYD’s Executive Vice President, conveyed the company’s immense pride and honor. She emphasized that this award reflects BYD’s ongoing commitment to sustainable technologies and excellent customer service globally. Li also reiterated their dedication to speeding up the shift to green mobility and contributing to worldwide environmental efforts.

This victory adds to BYD’s increasing presence and recognition at the World Car Awards. Just last year, in 2024, the BYD Dolphin was a top-three finalist for the World Urban Car award, and the BYD Seal was a finalist in the highly competitive “World Car of the Year” category. These earlier nominations already highlighted BYD’s growing influence and innovation in the global automotive scene.

The success of the BYD Seagull likely comes down to its compelling design, which, with its “Ocean Aesthetics” philosophy, offers a really fresh and vibrant look. Its dedication to high safety standards and the inclusion of smart driving technologies have clearly struck a chord with both buyers and industry experts. Plus, its strong global sales numbers really cement its place as a frontrunner in the urban EV category.

This historic win for BYD feels like a real turning point for the Chinese auto industry, showing their capacity to build vehicles that not only meet but exceed global benchmarks for design, innovation, and market appeal. As BYD keeps pushing the envelope in electric vehicle tech, this World Car Award for the BYD Seagull definitely marks an exciting new phase in their journey towards becoming a global leader in sustainable transportation.

Li is also a World Car Award Recipient

Li is the World Car Person of the Year Awardee for 2025.  The driving force behind BYD’s remarkable ascent since 1996, Li has been instrumental in transforming the company into one of the world’s automotive giants in under three decades. The celebration of their 10-millionth new energy vehicle in 2024 was a powerful testament to this rapid growth.

Li’s strategic planning and vision for global expansion have been pivotal, reaching new milestones just last year. Her leadership champions both cutting-edge innovation and widespread accessibility — qualities clearly recognized by the World Car Awards. True to Li’s vision, BYD is bringing this advanced technology to the market at an accessible price point.

The 2024 achievements under Li’s guidance, culminating in both the prestigious World Car Person Award in 2025 and BYD’s first World Car of the Year Award, is proof of her profound influence on the global automotive landscape.