THE NOT SO SECRET 7...

Launch of sporty Sealion 7 set to strengthen BYD's stature in Ireland

- With John Mitchell

NO LONGER seen as a plucky little upstart taking on the might of the mad rocket scientist, BYD are now the largest electric car manufacturer in the world - narrowly pipping Tesla this year with over 1.9m vehicles delivered in the first half of 2025.

The Chinese giant is so massive its new megafactory in Zhengzhou is larger than the city of San Francisco (50 square miles to San Fran's 46.9) and it's planning for even greater sales globally with new factories worldwide in late stage development.

And little old Ireland hasn't escaped its gaze as you most likely are very much aware with the arrival of its fifth model in two years - the sporty new midsize BYD Sealion 7 SUV.

I first drove the Sealion 7 at a press launch back in April but had the chance recently to put it through its paces on Irish roads for a week-long test drive.