BYD Australia goes in-house
Charging Chinese brand will now import and distribute its own vehiclesBYD Australia has dropped EVDirect as its local distributor and will soon operate here as a fully-fledged factory-backed operation, importing and distributing its growing range of models itself.
The move should give the ambitious Chinese brand more freedom to pick and choose the composition of its portfolio while aligning with long-earmarked plans to launch luxury sub-brand Denza here under its own steam later in the year.
Cutting out the middleman – effective as of July – will also no doubt bring a few financial benefits for BYD and should pave the way for the Yangwang halo and Fangchengbao off-road divisions to make their way Down Under as well.
EVDirect will reportedly retain a 20 per cent stake in BYD’s new retail network, EV Dealer Group Pty Ltd, which is owned primarily (80%) by Eager Automotive.
“Now is the time to further unlock BYD’s immense potential for Australian drivers,” EVDirect founder Luke Todd said.
“Phase one proved the BYD brand would thrive here; phase two will make new-energy vehicle ownership easier and more accessible than ever”.
The new arrangement will supposedly yield shorter wait times and more stock as well as an expanded retail footprint and better aftersales support, with Todd set to remain at the helm as executive chairman of EVDG while EVDirect CEO David Smitherman will transition to the same position at the new entity.
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