Ford Ranger overtakes Hilux in Brazil as BYD surges in auto market

In January 2026 Brazil, the Ford Ranger overtook the Toyota Hilux in retail sales, while BYD settled into fourth place with 9.18% market share. On the French market, BYD's SEAL has racked up over 1,800 registrations in 2025 and now accounts for 13% of the Chinese manufacturer's sales mix. The BYD Shark 6 pickup, meanwhile, is targeting the Ranger Raptor with its 430 hp plug-in hybrid.

"India is a market for us, but we need to make more effort." — Stella Li, BYD Executive Vice President, at the World Governments Summit in Dubai

The Ranger dethrones the Hilux in Brazil

The January 2026 numbers from Brazil are clear: the Ford Ranger has overtaken the Toyota Hilux in retail sales. It's not a cosmic upheaval, but it marks a shift in a segment where the Hilux's dominance seemed almost natural for decades. Toyota remains a benchmark for ruggedness across emerging markets — but the Ranger has managed to position itself as a more versatile pickup, equally at home on asphalt and off it.

The Brazilian context is unique: the pickup market is massive, and retail purchases accounted for 58.7% of the 162,484 vehicles registered in January 2026, according to Motor1 Brasil. Fiat retakes the lead among manufacturers with 14.75% market share, ahead of Volkswagen at 14.26%.

BYD at 9.18% in Brazil: background noise becomes a signal

BYD ranks as the fourth-largest automaker in Brazil for January 2026 with 9.18% market share, just behind Chevrolet (9.92%) and ahead of Hyundai (8.32%). The BYD Song totaled 3,207 retail units that month, placing fourth across all categories. The BYD Dolphin Mini, meanwhile, flirted with 100% retail sales: 2,797 units sold through retail channels versus just 43 via direct sales — that's 98.49% retail, meaning it's a model that sells itself without B2B leverage.

This is the number that should alarm legacy automakers: BYD doesn't rely on fleets to pad its stats. These are private customers choosing the brand.

The BYD SEAL Design Black at €399: a sedan trying to exist in France

On the French market, BYD plays a different tune. The SEAL Design Black arrives on a lease at €399 per month over 49 months and 40,000 km, with a first installment of €4,750 and two payments waived. The initial offer was €499/month with €2,500 down — the price revision represents €3,000 in savings over the contract term.

Technically, the SEAL in this configuration delivers 230 kW (530 hp), claims 570 km WLTP range, and does 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. Equipment includes a 15.6-inch rotating screen, heated and ventilated seats, panoramic roof, premium audio, and a heat pump as standard. All in black, exclusively in "Space Black" paint — hence the name.

But 570 km WLTP — what's that in real-world conditions?

On paper, 570 km sounds dreamy. On the highway in winter with the heater cranked, expect more like 350-400 km. The WLTP cycle is measured in mixed, temperate conditions — a sedan with a 530 hp motor drinks quickly, especially if you use it for what it's worth. It's still an honest range for daily use, but not enough to cross France on a single charge without some planning.

In 2025, the SEAL totaled over 1,800 registrations in France and represents 13% of BYD's sales mix in the country — the brand's second best-selling model. For a sedan with a trunk in a country that prefers SUVs, that's a decent performance.

The BYD Shark 6 aims