Gayathri Kallukaran is a Junior Journalist with Eastern Eye. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from St. Paul’s College, Bengaluru, and brings over five years of experience in content creation, including two years in digital journalism. She covers stories across culture, lifestyle, travel, health, and technology, with a creative yet fact-driven approach to reporting. Known for her sensitivity towards human interest narratives, Gayathri’s storytelling often aims to inform, inspire, and empower. Her journey began as a layout designer and reporter for her college’s daily newsletter, where she also contributed short films and editorial features. Since then, she has worked with platforms like FWD Media, Pepper Content, and Petrons.com, where several of her interviews and features have gained spotlight recognition. Fluent in English, Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, she writes in English and Malayalam, continuing to explore inclusive, people-focused storytelling in the digital space.
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has made significant strides in the UK automotive market, achieving remarkable growth and establishing a strong presence. Here are five key developments highlighting BYD's expansion in the UK:
1. Record-breaking sales in Q1 2025
In the first quarter of 2025, BYD sold 9,271 passenger cars in the UK, surpassing its total sales for the entire year of 2024, which stood at 8,787 units. This represents a 625% increase compared to Q1 2024. The company's market share also grew from 0.45% in 2024 to 1.6% in Q1 2025, with a peak of 1.8% in March alone.
2. Expansion of retail network
Since its UK launch in March 2023 with the ATTO 3 SUV, BYD has rapidly expanded its retail footprint. The number of retail sites grew from 14 in January 2024 to 60 by December 2024, with plans to reach up to 100 dealerships by the end of 2025. This expansion has been instrumental in increasing brand visibility and accessibility across the UK.
3. Focus on the fleet market
BYD has strategically targeted the fleet sector to drive growth. In 2024, fleet channels, including Motability, rental, and true fleet, accounted for 61% of BYD's UK registrations, with true fleet alone comprising 47%. The company has also partnered with leasing firms and service providers to enhance after-sales support and build trust within the fleet industry.
4. Introduction of new models
BYD continues to diversify its product lineup in the UK. The SEAL U DM-i, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), became the best-selling model in its segment in March 2025, while the all-electric SEAL ranked as the seventh most popular pure EV. Additionally, the company introduced the SEALION 7, an all-electric SUV offering up to 312 miles of range, further strengthening its market position
5. Enhanced brand recognition
BYD's aggressive marketing efforts have significantly boosted brand awareness in the UK. Brand recognition increased from 1% in 2023 to 31% in 2024, aided by strategic sponsorships and partnerships, including high-profile events like Euro 2024. These initiatives have played a crucial role in establishing BYD as a prominent player in the UK's EV market.
BYD's rapid growth in the UK is attributed to its record-breaking sales, expansion of the retail network, focus on the fleet market, introduction of new models, and enhanced brand recognition. These strategic moves have positioned BYD as a formidable competitor in the UK's electric vehicle landscape.
Local councils now face four “nationally significant” cyber attacks weekly, putting essential services at risk.
Cyber-attacks cost UK SMEs £3.4 billion annually, with the North West particularly affected.
Experts recommend proactive measures including supplier monitoring, threat intelligence, and an “assume breach” mindset.
Cyber threats escalate
Britain’s local authorities are facing an unprecedented surge in cyber threats, with the National Cyber Security Centre reporting that councils confront four “nationally significant” cyber attacks every week. The escalation comes as organisations are urged to take concrete action, with new toolkits and free cyber insurance through the NCSC Cyber Essentials scheme to help secure their foundations.
Recent attacks on major retailers including Marks & Spencer, Co-op and Jaguar Land Rover have demonstrated the devastating impact of cyber threats on critical operations. Yet councils remain equally vulnerable, with a single successful attack capable of rendering essential public services inaccessible to millions of citizens.
The stakes are extraordinarily high. When councils fall victim to cyber attacks, citizens cannot access housing benefits, pay council tax or retrieve crucial information. Simultaneously, staff are locked out of email systems and case management tools, halting service delivery across social care, police liaison and NHS coordination.
Call for cyber resilience
According to Vodafone and WPI Strategy’s Securing Success: The Role of Cybersecurity in SME Growth report, cyber-attacks are costing UK small and medium-sized enterprises an estimated £3.4 billion annually in lost revenue. Over a quarter of SMEs surveyed stated that a single attack averaging £6,940 could force them out of business entirely. This financial impact is particularly acute in the North West, where attacks cost businesses nearly £5,000 more than the national average.
Renata Vincoletto, CISO at Civica, emphasises that councils need not wait for legislation to strengthen their cyber resilience. She outlines five immediate priorities: employing third-party continuous monitoring tools to track supplier security compliance; subscribing to threat intelligence feeds from the NCSC and sector experts; engaging with regional cyber clusters supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and the UK Cyber Cluster Collaboration ( UKC3) establishing standardised incident reporting processes aligned with NCSC frameworks; and adopting an “assume breach” mindset to stay vigilant against inevitable threats.
“Cyber resilience is not a single project or policy it’s a culture of preparedness,” Vincoletto states. “Every small step taken today reduces the impact of tomorrow’s inevitable attack.”
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