BYD confirms NZ dealer network expansion as EV sales rise

Hot on the heels of a local sales surge, Chinese carmaker BYD has announced that it plans to open a further six new dealerships across the country as it looks to close the gap to the likes of Toyota and Mitsubishi.

In a press release, local distributor Ateco confirmed it will open four new sites in the North Island and two new sites in the South Island. These complement the brand’s 19 existing sites already operating around the country. 

In the North Island, it is set to open sites in Auckland’s Manukau and Pukekohe, plus sites in the Wellington CBD and Wairarapa. Three of these locations will open next month, with the Wairarapa spot opening in Q3.

In the South Island, meanwhile, it will open sites in Invercargill and Christchurch.  Timing for the Invercargill site has yet to be confirmed, whilst the Christchurch locationswill open in the third quarter of this year. 

The Manukau site appears to be a significant one, with BYD noting that the 10,000 square-meter Andrew Simms—run location will feature a “state of the art” showroom and after-sales space. 

The brand’s Wairarapa location is also notable as the brand’s second site in collaboration with Colonial Motor Company Limited — one of the country’s oldest dealership groups and a leading dealer group for the country’s leading commercial vehicle marque; Ford.

“The expansion of our dealer network reflects the remarkable confidence the New Zealand market has shown in the BYD brand,” said BYD Auto general manager Warren Willmot.

“We are committed to ensuring every New Zealander, whether in a major city or a regional centre, has access to a BYD dealership with world-class customer experience and aftersales support.”

The update from BYD comes as the brand continues to fly high in New Zealand, having seen a considerable rise in customer interest off the back of this year’s unprecedented increase in petrol and diesel prices. 

The brand detailed earlier this week that it has secured more stock for New Zealand customers, with three shipments carrying a total of around 1250 vehicles scheduled to arrive in the country in July.