In case you’ve missed it, BYD is now the third best-selling car brand in the Philippines as of 2025. They ended the year with more than 26,000 units sold and overtook American, Korean, and Japanese brands that have been in the country far longer. Mind you, they did this prior to the ongoing oil crisis.
Now in the first half of 2026, there are more than 30,000 BYD cars on Philippine roads. In every populated city, even in the provinces, you’ll see that three-letter logo coasting along with you.
This feat is no lightning in a bottle. Filipinos didn’t wake up one day and suddenly chose to give BYD a chance. It’s the result of a brand that had the right products, didn’t wait for adoption, and aggressively took the market by storm.
The ACMobility advantage
BYD has been in the Philippines prior to the pandemic. They were even an active participant at the Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit. The reason you only hear about them now is because in 2023, Ayala through ACMobility took the reins of the distribution. Since then, BYD has been aggressive not only in bringing cars, but building a network here in the Philippines.
That 30,000 units sold so far will only increase as BYD sets root in more places. They now have 80+ dealerships in the Philippines from Luzon to Mindanao. Owners also have more destination charging options as ACMobility has 200+ charging locations and hubs across the country that you can easily browse via the Evro app.
A definitive proof point
Seeking to put that growing ecosystem to the test, ACMobility and BYD partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to embark on a campaign called “Drive Electric. Love Pinas.”, a nationwide electrified drive wherein BYD vehicles traveled over 3,500 kilometers across 107 cities and municipalities. This feat earned them two Guinness World Records, but more importantly, proved that long-distance electrified travel across the Philippines is now possible
Global standards
BYD isn’t being sold only in small countries like the Philippines. They are present in more than 70 nations across 6 continents, which is how they became the global leader in New Energy Vehicles. They even became the top brand in Electric Vehicles, beating out that other brand that occupied that place for years.
They also prove their legitimacy by consistently getting high marks in safety tests. BYD’s cars, including the ones that get to the Philippines, are tested by New Car Assessment Programs in Australasia and Europe. These regions have the most stringent testing and yet the brand gets 5-stars from these organizations. It’s just further proof that they are not all flash, their cars are as safe as one can be.
Wide range of choices
Cars are like sisig. Some like it with egg, some with mayo, and some like it plain like the Kapampangans do. BYD probably noticed that and realized these Filipinos are too diverse, so let’s get them a lot of choices.
Right now if you browse their website, they have 14 cars for you to choose from. You can have your BYD in plug-in hybrid (DM-i and DMO) or full-electric. They have hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers, SUVs, MPV, luxury MPV, and a pickup to cover the wants and needs of Filipino buyers. They are just as relentless in bringing cars too as they are about to introduce one more to their lineup soon.
Efficient value
BYD doesn’t have standard hybrid cars. Their Super DM-i hybrids have a plug-in system allowing you to charge the large capacity batteries. The biggest advantage of this is you can move around in the city without using a drop of fuel. Their most affordable model, the sedan Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic, has 50 km of EV-only range. That can get me from my former home in Quezon City to my old office in Makati for three days, even during rush hour, all by electric power alone. While the best selling Sealion 6 DM-i can go for up to 100KM on pure EV mode. Some owners claim to have not fueled up in months .
What’s even better is these BYD cars come with a portable charger and a wall charger you can install in your home. This way, you won’t have to charge outside or in the malls, and you can maximize your electric power rather than paying for fuel again. This is why BYD claims you can save up to 70% in fuel costs with their cars.
When BYD was turned over to ACMobility for distribution, it was still a time of doubt for electrification. The chicken and egg dilemma was prevalent in the industry. Should the charging infrastructure come first? Who will build it – brands or the government? Or should we bring in cars first. But what will they charge it with? These are the questions in the industry.
BYD conquered the Philippines not only because of the right products, but because ACMobility had the right strategy as well. They already have access to great cars, so why not build the charging infrastructure along with it? As more cars were brought in, more charging points and dealerships were built, allowing Filipinos to have access to the next generation of mobility not just in Metro Manila, not just in Luzon, but nationwide. BYD achieved their standing not because they waited for people to adapt to new technology, they made it happen.
Discover more about BYD Cars Philippines’ journey and explore its lineup of fully electrified, energy-efficient vehicles at bydcarsph.com.
