[Diary Point = Reporter Kim Jung-hoon] Sales of BYD's plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV Sealion 6 DM-i slowed just after its South Korean debut. Deliveries fell from 500 units in August to 311 in September, a 37.8% drop month-over-month.
The Sealion 6 DM-i is BYD's first PHEV model launched in South Korea. It runs on a combination of a gasoline engine and electric motor and can be charged externally, with BYD's DM-i system relying primarily on the battery rather than the engine for propulsion. The base FWD trim can travel up to 70 km on electric power alone, switching to the engine for longer trips.
Sales reached 500 units during the first five business days of deliveries in August, but slipped to just 311 in September, the model's first full month on sale. The starting price is 35.75 million won, comparable to domestic hybrid models in the same class. Industry observers point to the discontinuation of PHEV purchase subsidies in 2021, along with South Korean consumers' unfamiliarity with Chinese-made PHEVs, as factors limiting demand.
Hybrid demand overall remains strong in South Korea's auto market. According to the Korea Automobile and Mobility Industry Association, hybrid vehicle registrations totaled 289,814 units in the first half of 2026, accounting for 34.1% of all new vehicle registrations. EVs accounted for 198,509 units, or 23.3%, over the same period. PHEVs occupy a distinct niche that requires buyers to weigh both charging access and long-distance driving convenience.
BYD Korea has since introduced an AWD trim of the Sealion 6 DM-i with enhanced driving performance and features. Priced at 41.9 million won, the model places electric motors on both the front and rear axles, which the company says allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5 seconds. It is equipped with a 26.6 kWh battery, delivering a certified electric-only range of 93 km and combined fuel economy of 12.7 km/L. The AWD trim is currently available for pre-order.
A nationwide fuel-economy test drive event for the Sealion 6 DM-i is running through October 31 at 32 showrooms across the country, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with participants driving a roughly 10 km designated course. Prospective buyers are advised to weigh not only electric-only range but also real-world charging access, PHEV subsidy eligibility, how often they drive long distances, and pricing across trims.