2025 was our busiest year yet, with a record number of events, five model releases, and exciting adventures with new ambassadors. As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a fantastic year filled with growth, partnerships, and expansions.
BYD South West events
Business Fest - 2nd April 2025, Exeter
Business Fest South West is an annual celebration of innovation and collaboration in the South West, held at Westpoint Arena in Exeter. It attracted over 2,000 visitors from the local business industry, providing opportunities for generating leads, expanding networks, and gaining new insights. It was a privilege to attend, and we met some fantastic people!
Ocean City Running Festival - 11th May 2025, Plymouth
We were so excited to announce our position as the Official Vehicle and Automotive Support Partner for Britain’s Ocean City Running Festival! As part of this partnership, BYD South West provided the lead vehicle and a dedicated cheer station along the route, ensuring an enhanced experience for participants and spectators alike. We also showcased our latest range of innovative electric and hybrid vehicles on Plymouth Hoe Promenade, allowing attendees to explore our cutting-edge automotive technology.
Devon County Show - 15th-17th May 2025, Exeter
Devon’s must-visit annual county show returned to Westpoint in May, and we had the pleasure of showing our range of models over the course of the event. Alongside supporting local businesses, visiting farm animals, and enjoying entertainment, visitors had the opportunity to get up close and personal with our vehicles and meet our lovely BYD Exeter team!
Royal Cornwall Show - 5th-7th June 2025, Wadebridge
We were delighted to attend Cornwall’s biggest annual event, joining some of the best in entertainment, agriculture, and competition in the county.
Plymouth Armed Forces Day - 28th June 2025, Plymouth
Joining the incredible line up of shows and activities dedicated to the Armed Forces community was our BYD Plymouth team. We had a wonderful time meeting our local community and supporting a great cause.
Somerset Armed Forces Day - 5th July 2025, Taunton
Our BYD Taunton team came together to represent BYD South West at the Somerset Armed Forces Day, an amazing community event celebrating the Armed Forces and Emergency Services.
Perranporth Ride and Drive - 11th July 2025, Perranporth
We had the absolute pleasure of holding a Ride and Drive event at Perranporth Airfield in the summer, offering guests the opportunity to take our models for a spin. Visitors also had the chance to experience the thrill of driving 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds during our hour of speed along the runway. We had family activities on throughout the day as well as company from Cornwall’s Rewind Radio.
Taunton Flower Show - 1st-2nd August 2025, Taunton
The BYD Taunton team had a fantastic time against the gorgeous backdrop of the Taunton Flower Show this year. Both days were packed with wonderful people, and we got to know other traders really well. All in all, a fantastic event for community spirit.
Torbay Half Marathon - 21st September 2025, Paignton
Following our successful sponsorship of the Ocean City Running Festival, we were delighted to offer our services again for the Torbay Half Marathon and Torbay 10K. Set against the coast of the English Riveria, we were proud to have some podium winners on our team and join in with all the camaraderie!
Tamar 10K - 19th October 2025, Tamar
Wrapping up our 2025 event season was the Tamar 10K, our final running festival sponsorship of the year. We continued our commitment to sustainability and community through another of Devon’s most iconic running events, and we were overwhelmed by all the support from the organisers and runners.
Product placements
As well as our larger scale events, we also attended several product placement weekends at various hotspots around the South West. These activities serve to introduce our brand to a wider range of people, and despite the rainy weather at times, was a great success! Our product placement locations included Orchard Shopping Centre in Taunton, Drake Circus Shopping Centre in Plymouth, and Princesshay and the Quay in Exeter.
Ambassadors and partnerships
We continued our ambassadorship programme in 2025, specifically expanding it to work with community-focused people in our local areas.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
Following on from our partnership with Immanuel last year, we were delighted to renew his contract this year with an all-new BYD SEALION 7. Immanuel has been integral to many of our community events, attending and supporting our showroom activities, as well as introducing our brand to new audiences.
Cheska Hull
We were honoured to welcome Cheska to the BYD South West family earlier this year, a personality dedicated to her communities and sustainability. We worked with Cheska right up to the day she relocated to Thailand, and we are very grateful for her expertise in all things Devon, PR, and events! We made wonderful new connections through our partnership with Cheska, and we’re excited to reunite with her next time she visits from Thailand!
Gaz Packer
Notorious in Plymouth for his community and charity contributions, Curly Gaz was the perfect personality to complement BYD South West. Alongside his love and knowledge on all things food, Gaz has been great at providing quality content, attending and supporting our events, and networking. Gaz is now in his second car with us, and we’re excited to see what the new year holds!
Truro City Football Club
Included in City West Country’s multi-faceted partnership with Truro City FC is our loan of a BYD SEAL U DM-i to first team manager John Askey, along with our branding on the training kit of first time players and staff. This is incredibly exciting time for BYD South West to have this sponsorship as Truro City FC play in the National League for the 2025/26 season.
Alongside our ambassadorship programme, we’ve had the privilege to work with many local content creators throughout the year, furthering our commitment to community in the South West.
Model releases
2025 has been a big year for BYD UK in terms of model releases, with no less than five new models hitting our showrooms. From the mighty SEALION 7 to the compact city driver the DOLPHIN SURF, here’s a round up of the new releases.
BYD SEALION 7
The BYD SEALION 7 was the first new model to launch in 2025, right back in the spring. Combining sporty performance and cutting-edge technology, the SEALION 7 is the only SUV coupe in the current line-up.
BYD DOLPHIN SURF
Next to be released was the BYD DOLPHIN SURF, the little sister to the BYD DOLPHIN. The DOLPHIN SURF is a fun-loving compact electric city car, offering a punchy performance with a sharp design. It’s the perfect model for people looking to start their electric car journey without wanting to commit to something bigger.
BYD ATTO 2
Joining the BYD ATTO 3 in the dynasty family, the BYD ATTO 2 is a compact SUV designed for those looking for a comfortable interior without the size of a traditional SUV.
BYD SEAL 6 DM-i
The second plug-in hybrid to join BYD’s UK line-up, the much-anticipated BYD SEAL 6 DM-i combined the sporty ocean series design language with a practical spacious cain. The sedan offers up to 935 miles of combined range, shaking up the current hybrid market in the UK.
BYD SEAL 6 DM-i Touring
Joining the SEAL 6 DM-i is the BYD SEAL 6 DM-i Touring, maintaining the design elements of the SEAL with the practicality of an estate. The Touring model is stylish, convenient, and practical, and offers a whole new experience to people looking to enter the electric vehicle segment.
Business news
BYD Plymouth new showroom
BYD Plymouth kicked off the new year with a move to their larger showroom on Billacombe Road. Following success at the Christian Mills site, BYD Plymouth quickly outgrew their showroom and found the perfect place for their new residence in Plymstock. We had a fantastic launch party to celebrate the new move, and the rest is history!
BYD Exeter new showroom
In May, BYD South West’s flagship showroom BYD Exeter announced its move to a bigger and more central location, almost two years after its opening. The demand for BYD Sales and Servicing in Exeter led to BYD Exeter moving to a bigger and more popular site on Hennock Road Central in the heart of Marsh Barton.
BYD Taunton Experience Centre
A year after BYD Taunton opened their doors, BYD South West announced the opening of our BYD Taunton Experience Centre in October. Following the success of our various product placements in Orchard Shopping Centre, it was the natural next step to open a permanent position there. This move has enable BYD South West to deliver their expertise and dedicated customer service to a wider range of people.
