Chinese brand BYD is promising to introduce three electric cars in Australia by the end of this year, with an electric ute and Tesla Model Y rival on the horizon for 2023.
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chinese electric car maker BYD says it plans to introduce five models in Australia within the next two years – as it prepares to deliver its first cars locally this month.
The Australian distributor of BYD – EVDirect – claims the Dolphin electric city car and Seal electric sedan are due to go on sale before the end of 2022.
EVDirect managing director Luke Todd told Drive at a media event in Brisbane today he expects three new BYD models will be on local roads within 12 months.
“We’ll be launching the Seal for sale later this year, the exact date is yet to be confirmed,” Mr Todd told Drive.
“We’re just working with BYD [in China] for a specific time but it will most likely be December – and similar for the Dolphin.
“We are working through some marketing and a few various other things, but we’re looking to launch the two new cars for sale this year for delivery somewhere between March to mid 2023.”
Next in BYD’s ambitious rollout plans are an electric dual-cab ute and a larger electric SUV, both aimed at taking on the most popular new-car segments in Australia.
The larger BYD electric SUV – which may wear the Sea Lion name in China – is likely aimed at the Tesla Model Y.
The yet-to-be-revealed BYD ute – currently in development – is also a possibility for Australia.
“We love the ute. We have a product that’s been in development for some time,” said Mr Todd.
“We will hold back on announcing actual timing, but what I can say is when the BYD electric ute does come to the country, it will be a game-changer.
“It’s coming. I know it’s coming. There’s a whole factory prepping to build this thing.
“I can’t talk too much about the Sea Lion as yet, but what I can tell you is that we’ve got a total of five vehicles currently in the final stages of being ready for the Australian market.
“That includes the two that I’ve mentioned, the Dolphin and the Seal – [with Atto 3] that’s obviously the three.
“You could assume the Sea Lion is one of those, and then there’s some further models beyond that.”
BYD vehicles are ordered online at a fixed price, and delivered to customers via the Eagers Automotive dealership network in Australia.
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