Nexen Tire Wins BYD OE Fitments for Seal 6 and Dolphin Surf

Published:
June 23, 2026
Author:
James Lockwood

Nexen Tire has secured its first original equipment supply agreement with BYD, covering tyres for the Seal 6 and Dolphin Surf electric models. The Korean tyre maker will supply different summer tyre lines for vehicles exported to Australia and Europe, adding another electric vehicle fitment to its growing OE portfolio.

A first BYD fitment for Nexen

The agreement covers the BYD Seal 6 and Dolphin Surf, two models positioned in export markets where electric vehicle competition is intensifying. For Nexen Tire, the deal adds a major Chinese EV manufacturer to its customer base and broadens its role in factory-fit tyre supply.

BYD’s wider expansion gives the fitment added relevance for tyre suppliers and wholesalers. The manufacturer has become one of the most significant global electric vehicle producers, while recent European market data continues to show stronger demand for electrified vehicles. The International Energy Agency reported that European electric car sales rose by more than 30% in 2025, reaching 4.2 million units.

Two tyre lines for different export markets

Vehicles exported to Australia will be fitted with Nexen’s N’FERA Sport, an ultra-high-performance summer tyre. Nexen says the product is designed for sporty handling and high-speed stability.

The BYD Dolphin Surf exported to Europe will use the N’Blue S, a high-efficiency summer tyre. According to the company, the tyre is engineered to reduce rolling resistance while supporting wet braking and water drainage at higher speeds.

That product positioning matters for European tyre retailers and distributors because EV fitments increasingly require a balance of load capability, rolling efficiency, wet grip and noise control. Tyre News has also reported how other manufacturers are competing for EV original equipment business, including Continental’s claim that its tyres were fitted to all top 10 EV manufacturers in EMEA during 2025.

Part of a wider OE push

Nexen Tire has been supplying original equipment tyres to overseas car makers since 2012. The BYD agreement follows other recent OE activity, including Nexen’s electric vehicle fitment for Kia’s EV5 and its supply deal for KG Mobility’s Musso pickup.

John Bosco Kim, chief executive of Nexen Tire, said the BYD supply agreement showed the company’s ability to provide “optimised performance” for electric and combustion vehicles. He said Nexen would continue to strengthen its partnership with BYD.

The announcement also sits alongside BYD’s growing UK and European aftermarket relevance. Tyre News previously reported that Grouptyre had been named an official stockist for the BYD tyre programme in the UK, supporting the car maker’s expanding dealer and fleet base.

Tagged with: Nexen Tire, BYD, OE tyres, EV tyres, Seal 6, Dolphin Surf, N’FERA Sport, N’Blue S, original equipment tyres, electric vehicle tyres, European tyre market, rolling resistance

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