Driver escapes through window as BYD Qin Plus DM-i catches fire after Chengdu collision. Credit: Weibo Understand China EV’s Market Real-time notifications when critical EV data is released All important data in one place 2,000,000+ data points Become a member A BYD Qin Plus DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan was destroyed by fire after a three-vehicle chain-reaction collision on Chengdu’s Third Ring Road on July 17, although everyone inside the car escaped before the vehicle was fully engulfed. According to Chinese media reports citing the Jinniu District Traffic Police Department, the crash occurred on the main carriageway of Chengdu’s Third Ring Road in Jinniu District. Three vehicles were involved, with the Qin Plus DM-i catching fire shortly after the collision and eventually burning down to its frame. Traffic was temporarily affected before returning to normal. Videos of the incident quickly spread online, but authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire. The investigation into both the collision and the vehicle fire remains ongoing. Driver and passenger escaped before vehicle was engulfed The Paper, citing an interview with the vehicle owner identified as Mr He, reported that both he and his front-seat passenger briefly lost consciousness after the crash. Mr He said the front and side airbags deployed, but the doors could not be opened after the collision. The pair then climbed out through the windows moments before flames spread throughout the cabin. No fatalities have been reported in connection with the Qin Plus DM-i. Public reports have not provided details on the condition of occupants in the other two vehicles involved. According to Mr He, the fire started shortly after the vehicle was rear-ended, with flames emanating from the rear of the sedan. His description reflects what he experienced at the scene and does not represent an official technical finding. Traffic authorities have not released information on the ignition source, and it remains unclear whether the fire involved the fuel system, electrical components, or another vehicle system. The vehicle involved has been identified as a white BYD Qin Plus DM-i plug-in hybrid through the owner’s interview and visual details from the scene. Unlike the battery-electric Qin Plus EV, the DM-i version uses a larger open dot-matrix front grille to provide airflow for its combustion engine. The vehicle also carried a green New Energy licence plate, confirming it was an electrified model. The exact model year and trim level have not been disclosed. Three-car Chengdu crash leaves BYD Qin Plus DM-i destroyed by fire. Latest BYD fire incidents draw attention The Chengdu crash is the latest widely reported fire involving a BYD model, though the circumstances differ from those in previous cases covered by CarNewsChina. In June, we reported on a collision involving a BYD Qin L plug-in hybrid and a Mazda 3. While the Mazda caught fire after the crash, Qin L’s battery remained intact, showing a different outcome following a collision. Earlier in March, CarNewsChina also covered a BYD Seal that caught fire after a crash in Hong Kong. The driver escaped shortly before the cabin was engulfed, while local authorities later launched an investigation into the cause. In the Chengdu incident, investigators have not yet released any conclusion on the source of the fire. Qin Plus remains a key BYD sales model Despite BYD’s expanding lineup of newer vehicles, the Qin Plus remains one of the company’s highest-volume models. According to China EV DataTracker’s June 2026 sales breakdown, the Qin Plus EV recorded 13,726 deliveries, making it BYD’s fourth-best-selling model that month, with a 7.7% share of total BYD sales. It ranked behind the Yuan UP (17,945 units), Song Pro DM-i (17,439 units), and Sealion 06 (16,843 units), while remaining ahead of the Dolphin, which recorded 13,005 units. At this stage, the confirmed sequence is that the sedan was involved in a chain-reaction collision, its occupants escaped through the windows after the airbags deployed, and the vehicle was later consumed by fire. The cause of ignition will depend on the findings of the official investigation. Sources: Zaker, The Paper, Weibo