• The Song Plus, the only model in BYD's Ocean series named after a Chinese dynasty, is being replaced by the Sealion 06.
• Sales of the Song family models have declined sequentially for six consecutive months since April.

BYD (HKG: 1211) will discontinue its popular Song Plus SUV (sport utility vehicle), removing the only model in its Ocean series named after a Chinese dynasty as part of efforts to optimize its product lineup.

Discussions about the Song Plus's impending discontinuation recently surfaced on Chinese social media, with the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker subsequently confirming the plan.

The Sealion 06 serves as the successor to the Song Plus, and the discontinuation is a normal product transition, BYD said in a report by 21jingji today.

This means the popular BYD SUV, with cumulative sales of 1.57 million units, will gradually phase out domestically, completing the final piece of the puzzle for BYD's Ocean series naming scheme -- which combines marine life with numbers, the report noted.

BYD's model lineup comprises the Dynasty series and Ocean series, with the former launched in 2012 and the latter introduced in late 2021.

Dynasty series models bear names of ancient Chinese dynasties -- Xia, Qin, Tang, Song, Yuan, Han -- while Ocean series vehicles are primarily named after marine life and naval vessels, such as Sealion and Frigate 07.

During the initial rollout of the Ocean series in 2021, BYD incorporated the Song Plus DM-i hybrid SUV into the lineup to expand its model range.

In overseas markets, the Song Plus DM-i is marketed as either the Sealion 6 or Seal U DM-i.

In BYD's monthly sales breakdown, the Song family figures represent the combined sales of Dynasty series models including the Song L EV, Song L DM-i, and Song Pro DM-i, alongside Ocean series models including the Song Plus EV and Song Plus DM-i.

The Song family is the only lineup present in both Dynasty and Ocean series, which can easily cause confusion in marketing and communication.

On July 24, BYD launched the Sealion 06 SUV, offering both the hybrid Sealion 06 DM-i and the pure-electric Sealion 06 EV.

The Sealion 06's price range spans RMB 139,800 ($19,590) to RMB 163,800, significantly overlapping with the Song Plus's RMB 135,800 to RMB 175,800 pricing.

Notably, BYD's adjustments may have begun months prior.

For years, the Song family models consistently led BYD's monthly sales rankings. However, since July, the Qin family models have surpassed them as BYD's top-selling lineup.

Additionally, the Song family models have experienced month-on-month declines for six consecutive months since April, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.

In September, the Song family's sales dropped to 42,178 units. By comparison, the average monthly sales in the fourth quarter of 2024 were around 120,000 units.

($1 = RMB 7.1353)