When mentioning BYD, everyone knows that it's very popular in China. However, most of its high-selling models are relatively affordable. For models like the BYD Tang DM, priced in the 200.000 to 300.000 yuan range, sales have not been as ideal. When competitors were fewer, the Tang DM performed decently, but as domestic brands like Geely, Great Wall, Changan, and Chery began competing in this segment, the Tang DM, which is a gas-to-electric conversion and lacks advanced driver assistance systems, started showing clear disadvantages. Despite launching a new version and offering discounts of 20.000 to 30.000 yuan, or even more, the market response has remained lackluster.
As a mid-size SUV and a plug-in hybrid model, the BYD Tang DM’s price of 200.000 to 300.000 yuan is quite standard for the current market. However, its actual size is not particularly large. While the car length is 4.87 meters, its wheelbase is only 2.82 meters, making the interior space not especially roomy. Especially since the Tang DM comes exclusively in six- or seven-seat layouts, the third-row space is quite limited. If the wheelbase could be extended to 2.9 meters, it would be a significant improvement. The Tang DM originally had decent sales, but as competitors' products improved and multiplied, even a slight price cut wasn’t enough to stop its sales from declining.
Looking at the Tang DM’s market performance, its sales in the first half of this year were still decent. At least the Tang DM Champion Edition managed to sell over 10.000 units in the first half of the year. In June and July, sales even exceeded 12.000 units. However, sales quickly started to drop, even after the 2024 model was launched in August, which extended the battery range to enhance competitiveness. Although the price also increased slightly, customers were not swayed, and the Tang DM's sales continued to decline. By November, its sales had fallen below 9.000 units. This highlights that even for a strong new energy brand like BYD, if a model lacks value for money, customers can easily walk away. After all, domestic brands still have relatively weaker brand recognition compared to more established ones.
BYD Tang DM’s Product Competitiveness:
From a product perspective, the BYD Tang DM does appear somewhat outdated. This wasn’t obvious last year, but by 2023. many brands began heavily investing in new platforms, while BYD’s Dynasty series, including the Tang DM, continued using the gas-to-electric platform. If the price were lower, this might not be an issue, but the Tang DM is priced between 209.800 and 309.800 yuan. At this price range, it’s hard to find other models doing the same thing. Even joint-venture brands and luxury brands like BBA (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi) are launching vehicles on entirely new electric platforms. This indicates that the Tang DM’s sales decline is a sign that BYD’s product line needs an upgrade.
In terms of power, the BYD Tang DM still uses a 1.5T engine with a maximum horsepower of 139 hp, paired with a 218 hp electric motor. This setup is more than enough for daily commuting and family use, and users won’t feel a lack of power, especially for city driving. However, while the Tang DM performs well in urban settings and has a relatively low fuel consumption for such a large vehicle, it’s not ideal for highway driving. The dual-motor version of the Tang DM delivers 490 hp and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.3 seconds, but this isn’t the model most people buy. As for electric-only range, there are three options: 112 km, 200 km, and 215 km, with the 112 km version being the most popular among most users.
In terms of features, the BYD Tang DM is still quite competitive. Despite being a gas-to-electric conversion and having only average driver assistance systems, the Tang DM comes standard with features like a 360-degree panoramic camera, transparent chassis, full-speed adaptive cruise control, L2-level driver assistance, electric tailgate, matrix LED headlights, large screens, electrically adjustable seats (with heating and ventilation), and remote parking. Essentially, even the base model offers plenty of features for most users.
Conclusion:
Overall, the BYD Tang DM is a solid mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV with six- and seven-seat layouts, making it a good choice for families that need flexible space. Although the dimensions are not particularly large and the third-row seating isn't ideal, it still meets basic needs. While the Tang DM does have some shortcomings, BYD’s strong expertise in electric powertrain technology has allowed the Tang DM to maintain monthly sales of several thousand to over 10.000 units. However, this situation may only be temporary, as increasing competition signals that the BYD Tang DM may soon require a major update.
