Thai car buyers are quick to accept electric vehicles (EV) that one has become the preferred choice over its internal combustion engine (ICE) peers in a similar segment.

According to sales data compiled by Headlight Mag, the BYD Dolphin is Thailand’s most popular sub-compact hatchback (Eco and B-segment combined) in November 2023. With 2,825 units sold that month, it outsold both the Honda City Hatchback and Toyota Yaris combined – 980 units and 800 units respectively.

This was not the first time the Dolphin outsold the City Hatchback and Yaris. In September and October, the electric hatchback was ranked the best-selling sub-compact hatchback in the Kingdom.

However, November was the first time the Honda and Toyota hatchbacks saw 3-figure sales in the entire 2023 year.

The Dolphin is also Thailand’s best-selling EV between September and November. EV sales in the Kingdom this year so far have already surpassed the combined total of the past 3 years. As of October 2023, 58,074 EVs were sold in the country, accounting for 10.58% of total new vehicle registrations thus far.

Also read: Surge in BEV registrations: Malaysia tops 9,000 units in 2023

Overall, the Honda City Hatchback is still Thailand’s best-selling sub-compact hatchback in 2023 so far with 18,536 units. Second place is the Toyota Yaris with 15,276 units while the BYD Dolphin completes the top 3 with 7,340 units.

Also read: Even though Toyota pioneered hybrid cars, it's Honda that are winning over Thais