Chinese carmaker to launch 15 new models in NZ this year

The New Zealand wing of Chinese juggernaut BYD is in for an enormous year, confirming last week that it plans to launch 15 new models this year — and even more in 2027. 

BYD New Zealand general manager Warren Willmot confirmed the news at the Auckland-based launch of the Atto 1 — currently the country’s equal cheapest pure electric vehicle. 

The event also acted as the local debut of two other upcoming models, the Sealion 5 and Sealion 8. The former acts as BYD’s lead contender in the fiercely contested mid-size SUV segment, and the latter represents the brand’s first locally offered 7-seat SUV. 

Pricing for the two models has been announced in recent months. 

The Sealion 5 is available in either $39,990 Essential trim, or in $45,990 Premium trim — making it New Zealand’s cheapest plug-in hybrid. 

The pair both make use of a 145kW/300Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine and front-wheel drive, but each comes with a different battery. The Essential gets a 12.9kWh battery, boasting an NEDC-rated range of 71km. The Premium meanwhile opts for a larger 18.3kWh battery, and a 100km range. 

The Sealion 8, meanwhile, will be available locally in three different flavours; the $74,990 Dynamic FWD, the $83,990 Dynamic AWD, and the $91,990 Premium AWD.

Once again, all three models have a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired to an electric motor. In entry level form the powertrain makes 205kW/315Nm, whilst the two AWD grades 359kW/675Nm. The AWD models also have superior pure electric range, too, boasting an NEDC-rated 153km to the FWD’s 103km. 

Alongside the Atto 1, Sealion 5, and Sealion 8, BYD also recently launched the Atto 2 — the brand’s stab at a compact, simple, and fleet-friendly pure electric crossover. The Atto 2 steps in as a replacement of sorts for the BYD Dolphin, which was recently quietly dropped from the brand’s local line-up.

Another model lined up for New Zealand is the second generation Atto 3. Revealed earlier this month, the surprisingly heavily updated Atto 3 is set to arrive here in the second half of 2026. 

Although it looks largely similar to the successful first-gen Atto 3, the second gen model has migrated to a revised platform that sees it go from being front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive whilst also adding a 74.8kWh battery with a 510km range into the mix. Full local spec and pricing has yet to be confirmed. 

It is unclear which other nameplates BYD has earmarked in its New Zealand plans. A second pick-up, smaller than the popular plug-in hybrid Shark 6, is known to be in development and is a likely suitor for our market. And the marque is known to be currently evaluating a Seal 6 wagon in Auckland.