BYD's five best-selling cars, including one edging out Tesla's Model Y in China

cnbc.com:

BEIJING — BYD has overtaken Tesla again by the sheer number of new energy vehicles produced in 2023, thanks in part to the Chinese automaker's hybrids and wide range of offerings in a lower price range.

While Tesla's Model Y was the best-selling purely battery-powered car in China for the six months ending in November, BYD vehicles accounted for four of the top 10 such cars sold during that time. When including hybrids, seven BYD cars made the top 10 list.

That's according to China Passenger Car Association data cited by consumer information site Autohome.

Here are the five best-selling BYD new energy vehicles in China, according to the data:

The Qin Plus, BYD's bestseller — the top-ranked across all new energy vehicles in China — sold nearly 400 more units than Tesla's Model Y in the six months ending in November.

The compact car comes in hybrid and battery-only versions. It's part of BYD's legacy series of cars named after Chinese dynasties. Qin Shihuang was the first leader of a unified China and known for his terracotta warrior burial site.

Price: 99,800 yuan to 176,800 yuan ($13,942 to $24,700)

Range: 420 km to 610 km (261 miles to 379 miles)

For comparison, the Model Y has a driving range of 532 km to 688 km and currently sells for between 266,400 yuan to 363,900 yuan ($37,217 to $50,838) in China.

The Seagull is a budget-priced boxy hatchback that BYD launched less than a year ago in spring 2023. The battery-only car comes in neon yellow-green, peach, black and white.

Price: 73,800 yuan to 89,800 yuan ($10,310 to $12,545)

Range: 305 km to 405 km (189 miles to 251 miles)

In third place among BYD bestsellers is the Song Plus, a compact SUV that comes in hybrid and battery-only versions.

Price: 159,800 yuan to