The world’s largest electric car manufacturer, Chinese BYD, sold around 393,000 vehicles in the first two months of 2026, maintaining its lead despite a 36% decline. Li Auto (60,000) ranks next, followed by Xiaomi (59,000), Aito (58,000), Li Auto (54,000), NIO (48,000), Xpeng (47,700), and XPeng (35,000). At the same time, the company set an ambitious export target of 1.3 million vehicles, a 25% increase.
This is one of the factors behind the move announced by Shlomo Motors, BYD’s importer: A price reduction of about 10% on two of its electric car models, the Seal sedan and the Sealion 7 crossover. In both cases, this is also a response to Tesla’s price-cutting actions in the local market: The new base version of the Model 3 at NIS 192,000, and the equivalent version of the Model Y, whose price has not yet been revealed. The prices of both BYD models now start at less than NIS 200,000, which will also challenge the discounted Hyundai Ioniq 5.
In the case of the Seal, the move comes alongside a facelift for the model that arrived in Israel two years ago. Among the changes: Trunk capacity increased to 485 liters (an addition of 85 liters), front trunk capacity increased to 72 liters (an increase of 19+ liters), addition of a driver fatigue monitoring system, and towing capability in the base Design model of up to 750 kg with or without brakes.
The price of the Design trim was reduced by NIS 20,000 to NIS 199,000. It will continue to come with a 313 hp motor, rear-wheel drive, 82.5 kWh battery, 0–100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, and a combined range of 570 km.
The Excellence trim was reduced by NIS 16,000 to NIS 220,000. The specification includes all-wheel drive, 530 hp, the same battery, 0–100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, and a combined range of 520 km.
The Sealion 7 also receives a new price list. The base Boost trim was reduced by NIS 20,000 to NIS 199,000. With rear-wheel drive, 231 hp, and a 71.8 kWh battery, the numbers are 0–100 km/h in 7.3 seconds and a range of 440 km.
The Comfort trim was reduced by NIS 21,000 to NIS 215,000. Specifications include rear-wheel drive, 82.5 kWh battery, 0–100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, and a range of 482 km.
The Design trim was reduced by NIS 25,000 to NIS 220,000, upgraded to a 91.3 kWh battery, which slightly increases acceleration to 6.7 seconds, but extends the combined range to 540 km.
The Excellence trim was reduced by NIS 25,000 to NIS 238,000, with all-wheel drive, 531 hp, 0–100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, and a combined range of 502 km.