The new BYD Seal starts at RMB 189,800, down RMB 23,000 from its predecessor's RMB 212,800.

The core specifications of the other versions remain unchanged from the previous version, but new features have been added, including support for the iPhone NFC digital car key.

The BYD Seal measures 4,800 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width and 1,460 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,920.

It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds for the entry version and 3.8 seconds for the 4WD version.

Both versions of the 550 km model are equipped with a battery pack with a capacity of 61.4 kWh, while all other versions have a capacity of 82.5 kWh.

The BYD Seal was originally launched in China on July 29, 2022 and is seen as one of the strongest rivals to the Tesla Model 3 in China.

Deliveries of the model began in August last year, with more than 15,000 units delivered in both November and December, data monitored by CnEVPost show.

But this year, with the overall weak performance of China's NEV market following the withdrawal of some stimulus policies and a price war, sales of the Seal have slumped, selling only about 6,000 units in each of the past two months.

To boost sales, BYD began offering discounts for the Seal as well as the Song in early March and extended them through the end of April after that offer expired at the end of March.

BYD did not lower the official prices of the model, as such a move could easily lead to a bigger price war and protests from owners.

In fact, BYD isn't the only one to get prices down by releasing a facelift.

Hozon Auto's electric vehicle brand Neta Auto yesterday launched two new variants of its flagship sedan Neta S, lowering the model's starting price by RMB 13,000 to under RMB 200,000.

The two new variants -- the all-electric Neta S 520 Lite and Neta S 520 -- start at RMB 189,800 and RMB 199,800 respectively.

The previously lowest-priced battery electric vehicle (BEV) version of the Neta S was the version with a CLTC range of 715 km, starting at RMB 248,800.

The Neta S is also available in an extended-range version with a starting price of RMB 202,800.

($1 = RMB 6.9273)