Weekly news bites: The bits you may have missed

Keep an eye out for our review on the new BYD Sealion 5, which we were driving earlier in the week. Spoiler alert – you’ll be seeing a lot of them around in the not-too-distant future! Because while BYD is flat out at ‘China Speed’ with the pace of its growth and new products it’s also keen to be seen as more than just an importer, Country Manager Bono Ge explaining how it is laying down roots in Europe. To those ends the first European-built BYDs will start rolling out of a new factory in Hungary this year, local production sensible for shorter supply chains (good for cost and sustainability) as well as futureproofing cars built there from potential tariffs levied on others imported from China. Smart thinking on that score. But to be expected, given Ge is proud to say “we are not a traditional company, we are a technology company built by engineers.” Engineers who, in his words, are “young, passionate, sometimes maybe a little bit crazy” referring to exploits like bagging the record for world’s fastest car with the all-electric Yangwang U9X and going for lap records at the Nürburgring to troll Porsche and the other European brands who consider the German track home turf. All of which is a long way from the hybrid and electric SUVs it sells by the truckload. But helps them look just that teeny bit more exciting. This is just the start as well, and even if you rely on public transport for getting round there’s a good chance you’ll be doing it on a BYD-built bus while, going the other way, luxury sub-brand Denza is limbering up to take on the European elite. Short version? BYD is clearly dreaming big. Dan Trent

Campervan and motorhome news now… and Hymer has confirmed three new models for launch in 2026. These include a brand-new premium model called ‘GT-S’, a 4x4 version of its Grand Canyon camper, and a special edition of the Exsis-t 474. First up, the new GT-S is a low-profile campervan based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter large van with more than enough room for four people to live in mobile luxury. The Grand Canyon S 700 Trail Edition is the company’s new off-roader, and an eye-watering £132K will bag you everything from big 18-inch tyres, leather upholstery inside and imposing external upgrades. Rounding off the new models is the Exsis-t 474, a more conventional motorhome built on a special black version of the Fiat Ducato large van weighing under 3,500 kg, which means anyone with a full UK driving licence can drive it. These three new models will be on display at this year’s Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show… which will also be the stage for a new launch from Auto-Trail and their new F-Line motorhome. The F-67 is built on a Ford platform and features a large washroom, a drop-down bed over the lounge area, an L-shaped kitchen area and a 200W solar panel on the roof. I’ll be representing Autotrader at the show, taking a closer look at these vehicles (and many other new launches) in person. Hope to see you there. - Tom Roberts.

Geely Auto may be an unfamiliar name here, but its parent company owns established brands like Volvo, Lotus, and Smart. Geely first arrived in the UK last year with the electric EX5 and it has ambitious plans to sell 100,000 cars here by 2030. On our recent trip to Geely’s HQ in Hangzhou, China, we had a sneak peek at some of the upcoming models including the plug-in hybrid Starray EM-i and the all-electric EX2 hatchback. The EX2 is a small hatchback to rival the BYD Dolphin or Vauxhall Corsa Electric and it was China’s best-selling car in 2025. It is scheduled to arrive here in the second half of the year and Geely will later extend its fully electric and plug-in hybrid line-up hoping to offer something for everyone. So, expect a range of new Geely SUVs in all shapes and sizes to be launched here soon.