BYD Readies Next-Gen Han Sedan as Sales Drop 67.39%
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BYD will debut a new model widely expected to be its next-generation Han sedan at the Guangzhou Auto Show later this month, aiming to revive a lineup whose sales fell 67.39 percent year-on-year across the first 10 months of the year.
Cumulative sales of the Han reached 50,890 vehicles between January and October, according to data compiled by CnEVPost, down sharply as competition mounts in China’s executive sedan segment.
Lu Tian, general manager of BYD’s Dynasty sales division, announced on Weibo on November 2 that the automaker will present “a model highly requested by customers” at the trade event, which opens to media on November 27.
Bigger chassis and multiple powertrains
The revised sedan appeared in the ministry’s 412th vehicle filing batch on October 16. It measures 5,156 mm long and 1,969 mm wide, riding on a 3,030 mm wheelbase across all five-seat configurations.
Those proportions add 161 mm in total length and 110 mm between the axles compared with the Han EV flash charging edition released in April. The platform expands interior legroom to counter lengthening executive saloons rolled out by domestic competitors over the past twelve months.
“It measures 5,156 mm long and 1,969 mm wide, riding on a 3,030 mm wheelbase across all five-seat configurations.”
Government filings outline three battery-electric variants alongside one plug-in hybrid model. Rear-wheel-drive pure electric options deliver motor outputs of either 245 kW (329 hp) or 300 kW. An all-wheel-drive electric variant pairs a 200 kW front motor with a 320 kW rear unit for 520 kW total output, while the hybrid package couples a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine to a 200 kW electric motor.
Defending the executive market tier
The overhaul reflects the squeeze facing mainstream executive sedans across China as price competition pushes premium specifications downward. While monthly Han sales rebounded to 6,566 units in October, rising 159.63 percent from September, that total represented a 52.11 percent decline year-on-year.
Suppliers and fleet buyers face a segmented showroom floor. BYD carved out a higher market band on October 13 when it introduced the Da Han sedan at 235,900 yuan ($35,110), featuring a 5,256 mm length and a 3,130 mm wheelbase. The regular Han must defend volume where buyer migration toward sport utility vehicles and newer smart-cockpit saloons has eroded sedan residuals.
Contrasting performance across Dynasty lines
The sedan’s contraction contrasts with the broader performance of the Dynasty distribution channel. The division delivered 203,040 vehicles in October, climbing 13.6 percent year-on-year and 14.4 percent month-on-month to beat 200,000 units in a single month for the first time this year.
Earlier releases paved the way for that volume. Dealership networks are already receiving floor units of the third-generation Tang, a five-seat SUV that debuted at the Chengdu Auto Show in August and reaches retail showrooms this quarter alongside the larger Da Tang flagship.
Questions & Answers
Q.Why is BYD redesigning the Han sedan now?
Why is BYD redesigning the Han sedan now?
The redesign responds to a 67.39 per cent drop in Han sales across the first ten months of the year, totalling 50,890 vehicles. BYD aims to counter intensifying competition from domestic rivals who have lengthened executive saloons and driven down prices in China.
Q.How do the dimensions of the new Han compare with the previous version?
How do the dimensions of the new Han compare with the previous version?
The new model measures 5,156 mm long, 1,969 mm wide, and has a 3,030 mm wheelbase. This adds 161 mm in total length and 110 mm between the axles compared with April's flash charging edition, creating extra interior legroom for passengers.
Q.What powertrain configurations will be available on the revised model?
What powertrain configurations will be available on the revised model?
Government filings specify three pure electric variants and one plug-in hybrid. Rear-wheel-drive electric models produce 245 kW or 300 kW, an all-wheel-drive version yields 520 kW, and the hybrid combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 200 kW electric motor.
Q.How is the wider Dynasty sales network performing despite the Han's decline?
How is the wider Dynasty sales network performing despite the Han's decline?
The Dynasty division delivered 203,040 vehicles in October, rising 13.6 per cent year-on-year to exceed 200,000 monthly units for the first time this year. Growth has been supported by new sport utility vehicles, including the third-generation Tang and the larger Da Tang flagship.