The first BYD e6 people movers have been delivered to customers at two MyCar centres in Sydney and Brisbane, by BYD partner and importer EV Direct.
And, on February 18, 2022, the first BYD “experience centre” will officially open in Sydney. We can now share with you first images of the showroom’s ground floor interior: a minimal white space with room enough for two vehicles, and an industrial-style brick wall at the back.
EVDirect boss Luke Todd has confirmed BYD’s EA1 electric hatchback, otherwise known as the Dolphin to drivers in China, will be on the floor when the showroom opens.
The Han premium sedan (one of which landed earlier in 2021) could also make a show. Also expect the Yuan Plus electric crossover, two of which have been testing in China having been tuned to meet Australian design and safety standards.
e6 people mover and T3 electric van sold out
Todd says EVDirect has already sold 15 e6 people movers and 50 T3 vans to customers. No longer available to order through the EV Direct website, they are the company’s first toes in the water while it readies to establish a footprint on the Australian auto market ahead of the arrival of the Yuan Plus and EA1.
MyCar logbook servicing
The firm date for a launch for BYD in Australia follows on the heels of EV Direct’s announcement of its landmark agreement with mycar for full logbook servicing. The deal will also see MyCar act as the delivery touchpoint for customers.
“By early 2022 EVDirect and mycar will offer 30 delivery point and service locations nationally. This will grow over the coming years as we execute our plan to deliver tens of thousands of BYD electric passenger vehicles right across Australia,” Todd said via LinkedIn on Wednesday.
“EVDirect and BYD will be working with MyCar to train and facilitate the MyCar network. We start with 8 stores and then by the end of 2023 (or as demand requires) all 270 MyCar stores will be equipped and trained to professionally handle EV servicing to logbook standards,” he said.
Details and specifications of the Yuan Plus and EA1 (plus its local moniker) will be confirmed closer to launch in 2022.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.