BYD’s Dolphin intensifies rivalry with Casper, Ray

BYD Korea’s compact electric hatchback — the Dolphin — is rapidly gaining traction, posing a growing threat to its two established rivals: Hyundai Motor’s Casper Electric and Kia’s Ray EV. Sales of the all-electric hatchback have exceeded expectations just a few months after its February launch, with monthly sales reaching 652 units in March. According to the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker, cumulative orders have already surpassed 2,000 units, underscoring the model’s strong popularity driven by its unmatched price competitiveness. The entry-level EV made its debut in Korea in the mid-20 million won range after tax benefits. The pricing has drawn interest from price-sensitive customers seeking practical EVs. Industry officials attributed the Dolphin's smooth market entry to supply constraints from the two rival models. It takes more than 20 months for customers to receive the Casper Electric after they sign contracts, while the Ray EV also requires around 10 months for delivery to customers. “Some demand for the two domestic compact EVs looks to have moved to the Dolphi