Philippines Gets the Sealion 5 DM-i Ahead of the Rest of the World
Last Updated on: 20th June 2025, 12:23 pm
The Philippines is the first country outside of China
to receive the Sealion 5 DM-i
While Brazil complains about BYD’s shipment of nearly 8,000 cars carried by the BYD Shenzhen to the Port of Itajaí in Santa Catarina, the Philippines has launched the Sealion 5 DM-i, a vehicle not yet included in the roster of cars unloaded in Brazil.
Yesterday afternoon, Philippine time, the ACMobility-led BYD Philippines officially launched the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i, what automotive pundits say is a “highly anticipated BYD plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)” because of its expected pricing and performance numbers.
Initially launched in Shenzhen and going on sale in China only last September 2024, it sold nearly 15,000 units in its first three months in the market. BYD sales reports show that from September 2024 to May 2025, 14,261 units were sold. From January to May 2025, 27,674 units were sold, for a total of 41,935 units.
As of today, the Philippines stands as the first and only international market where the BYD Sealion 5 DM-i has officially debuted.
BYD Philippines CEO Bob Palanca told CleanTechnica last week that the new PHEV is “poised to further solidify our commanding presence in the country’s burgeoning New Energy Vehicle (NEV) market.” Palanca also said this “strategic introduction underscores BYD’s aggressive expansion and commitment to providing accessible, cutting-edge electrified mobility solutions to Filipino consumers.”
The BYD Sealion 5 DM-i is designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of buyers, particularly young, urban drivers and first-time electric vehicle owners. It provides an optimal blend of efficiency, power, and modern aesthetics in a subcompact SUV. Measuring 4,738 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,710 mm tall, with 18-inch alloy wheels, the Sealion 5 promises ample interior space despite its classification.
Powering the Sealion 5 is BYD’s innovative Super DM-i (Dual Mode Intelligent) technology, an electric-first hybrid powertrain. This system intelligently combines a highly efficient 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine with an electric motor, prioritizing electric propulsion for most driving scenarios. The vehicle boasts a combined output of 197 PS and 300 Nm of torque, enabling a swift 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in just 8.3 seconds.
Energy comes from a 12.96 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate Blade Battery, offering a pure electric range of up to 71 kilometers (measured in the NEDC standard). The internal combustion engine extends the total driving range to over 1,000 kilometers, effectively mitigating range anxiety. Charging the Blade Battery takes approximately 4.5 hours with 3.3 kW AC charging, and the vehicle also supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, allowing it to power external devices.
An efficiency run supervised by the Automobile Association Philippines (AAP) demonstrated an impressive 25.273 km/liter over a 1,409.7 km journey.
The electric subcompact SUV offers a premium and technologically advanced cabin. It features a prominent 10.1-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an 8.8-inch LCD instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, and comfortable synthetic leather seats in an appealing beige and brown interior combination. For convenience, it includes NFC card smart entry and BYD Voice Assist. Safety is comprehensive, with six airbags, cruise control, a rear camera with radar sensors, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Hold, and Hill Descent Control.
The suggested retail price is P1,248,000, (~$21,216), with an introductory price of P1,198,000 (~$20,366) with promotional financing options, including a P88,000 down payment ($1,496) offer. It also comes with an 8-year or 160,000-kilometer (~99,420 mile) warranty for the Blade Battery, an 8-year or 150,000-kilometer (about 93,206 mile) warranty for the electric motor and control systems, and a 6-year or 150,000-kilometer new vehicle warranty.
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