BYD fast-tracks Australia EV roll-out with major dealer network

Warren Buffett-backed China electric vehicle maker BYD has announced the establishment of a new retail and servicing dealer group in Australia, a partnership between EV Direct and Eagers Automotive, to fastrack the rollout of its EVs around the country.

EV Direct, which has the exclusive distribution rights for BYD in Australia, has agreed with Eagle Automotive to join forces as the exclusive national retailer for BYD, which is due to launch its first electric vehicle in Australia on Saturday – the Atto 3.

The agreement establishes the BYD dealer group, in which Eagers Automotive will have a 49% share, to provide an “omni-channel retail footprint” in all key markets in Australia.

The deal will see the group operate under a national franchise agreement to provide retail sales and after-sales service centres for BYD EVs in all key Australian markets for an initial period of five years.

EV Direct founder and CEO Luke Todd said Eagers’ extensive Australian network, retail expertise and leading customer proposition would provide a solid base for BYD Australia to fast-track its expansion.

“BYD has an aspiration to grow into a top five automotive brand in Australia by sales volume in the next 18 months,” said Todd.

“BYD’s EVs are known for leading edge technology, superior range and pricing that is on parity with comparable high-quality petrol vehicles, making them ideally suited to the Australian market.”

Just how well suited BYD cars are to the Australian market is about to be tested, with the launch this weeked of the Atto 3, a renamed version of BYD’s Yuan Plus made for the local market.

Set to be launched on Saturday night, according to the website of EVDirect, the BYD Atto 3 is expected to be the first of a range of BYD electric vehicles brought to Australia that will compete for price against high-quality petrol cars.

In comments earlier this week, Todd said that EV Direct had invested “tens of millions” of dollars into Australian-specific production lines at one of BYD’s mega Chinese factories.

BYD Australia general manager, Wing You, said the EV maker had been impressed with the approach Eagers Automotive has adopted to provide retail solutions in line with the changing demands of car buyers.

“It is very much aligned with our thinking and our plans to take BYD to market in Australia,” Wing You said.

“When combined with their scale, track record and geographic reach in all key markets, we believe the new combined partnership will further complement the existing strategic plan to expedite BYD’s ambitious growth plans.”