BYD to take control of Australian distribution of its EVs and plug in hybrids

BYD Australia is set to take over the distribution of its new energy vehicle (NEV) products from EV Direct, its original distributor.

According to EV Direct, as of July 2025, BYD distributorship will be transferred to BYD Australia while the EV Direct management is expected transition to EV Dealer Group, who will manage BYD’s retail network.

This retail arm will support the current operation being managed by Eagers Automotive, a listed dealership group.

EV Direct said that the move comes a year ahead of original plan, and after delivering more than 50,000 NEVs into Australia.

Luke Todd, founder of EV Direct and incoming executive chairman of EV Dealer Group said the arrangement would help  unlock the potential of BYD in the Australian market.

“Phase One proved the BYD brand would thrive here; Phase Two will make new-energy vehicle ownership easier and more accessible than ever,” Todd said.

“As the inaugural importer, EVDirect is extremely proud of the role it has played in the launch of BYD into the Australian market, overseeing what has been one of the most successful new car brand launches in Australian history.

“As a team we are extremely proud of what’s been achieved and even more excited by the future as our team reposition into a new role that will help catapult the BYD brand further, right across Australia”.

The new EVDG is expected to help BYD Australia increase its existing retail network as BYD’s largest sales and service channel.

For customers it means an expansion of retail footprint and improved service experience, shorter wait times and greater stock availability, an improvement to the after-sales support.

David Smitherman, appointed CEO of EVDG, said the JV partners will combine the best of both companies to provide an industry leading sales and aftersales experience for BYD customers

Over the last three years, BYD has become one of the fastest growing car brands in Australia.

Its original model line up included the Atto 3 SUV, which in 2022 was the most affordable ground-up electric SUV. Following that in 2023, it launched one of Australia’s cheapest electric cars, the BYD Dolphin hatchback.

Late in 2023, the brand launched the Seal electric sedan, helping it gets thousands of sales in the months that followed.

In mid-2024, BYD unveiled its first PHEV, the Sealion 6, followed by the Shark 6 PHEV ute in the second half of the year.

It kicked 2025 off by announcing the Essentials range, cutting prices across its line up and offering entry level models, making EVs even more accessible.

February 2025, saw it unveil and begin deliveries of the Sealion 7 electric SUV, which has seen great growth during March and April.

With an expected expansion of its current model line up in Australia and other global markets, the growth of the world’s fastest growing car brand in Australia and NZ is only expected to rise in the coming months.

With the distribution expected to go in-house with BYD Australia, existing and future customers will see improvements in service levels, product launches and product improvements more frequently.

This could only be a good thing for EV adoption in Australia.