BYD has one of the most extensive range of NEV models in the market, with multiple launches in both local and international markets this year.
Now, the company has held an event for its Ocean series vehicles, teasing two new EV models it plans to launch in early 2026.
These would be a sleek and luxurious sedan, it will be called the Seal 08 and an SUV, it will be called the Sealion 08, which are expected to debut in Q1 2026.
According to the brand, these models will feature the company’s latest tech, although not a lot more was shared.
We can expect this to include the latest in charging, software, motors, battery and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), in the form of the company’s God’s Eye suite.
Earlier this year, a BYD Seal 08 sedan was sighted in regulatory approval documents run by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
It showed a more affordable model to the BYD Seal with pricing equivalent of around $A32,300 in the Chinese market.
That model was slightly smaller – 4,720 mm long – than the Seal electric sedan, which has been relatively popular in Australia, raking in over 6,000 sales in 2024 and 3,300 in 2025.
We believe that the affordable model will be another car in the brand’s line up, compared to the latest sedan teased at the Ocean Day event.
That could be more in line with the Ocean S concept the brand revealed at the iconic Shanghai Auto Show back in April this year.
The Sealion 08 is expected to be closer to a proper 7-seater offering. Currently, the Sealion 8 is available for Australian drivers to register their interest in as a 7-seater PHEV.
BYD’s Ocean series includes models such as Dolphin, Seagull, Seal, Sealion 06 and Sealion 07 EV. The addition of the new Seal 08 and Sealion 08 in early 2026 would make these models the newest in the range.
In the lead-up to the Ocean Day event, the company shared on its Weibo account: “BYD Auto Ocean Network invites you to witness this important moment! BYD Auto’s Weibo video 2025 BYD Ocean Day 4th Anniversary User Celebration”.
This was in reference to 4 years of the Ocean series lineup, which has now seen over 6 million sales globally, making it quite a successful NEV range.
With BYD’s lineup of new EVs expected to be released in China in Q1 and given the pace of international expansion the company has showcased recently, it’s likely that these models could also be for global markets in the not-too-distant future.
We will keep an eye on new EVs from the brand as it continues to add multiple models every year in the Australian market.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
