Cheaper Chinese Electric Vehicles Coming Soon: How BYD Plans to Beat Tesla in Australia
BYD is planning a multi-model attack on Australia.
Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD is planning a full-blown attack on the Australian electric car market, with the brand launching six new models by the end of 2023, including SUVs, city cars and even an SUV, in the hope that it will propel them to the top. five brands in this market.
This is a big goal. Last year, for example, Mitsubishi finished fifth in the sales race with nearly 70,000 vehicles sold. But BYD says a combination of attractive cars, attractive prices and Australian contributions to design and engineering will help them get there.
Nexport, the company responsible for delivering cars to Australia, and its CEO Luke Todd, says it's much more than just a distribution deal.
“Given the fact that we will have six models by the end of 2023, we believe that over this 2.5-year period, there is no reason why we cannot be ranked among the top five auto retailers in this time period.” He says.
“This includes the fact that during this period we will have a pickup or ute.
“This is real collaboration. We have invested in BYD's business in China, which gives us our own production line to produce high volume RHD vehicles, so it's very different from a distribution agreement.
"We have our own product lines and we contribute to the design features and the vehicles to make sure they are the most attractive to the Australian market."
BYD's story will begin in Australia in "October or November" when the brand introduces the new Yuan Plus SUV in Australia, a very handsome small-to-midsize SUV that sits somewhere between the Kia Seltos and the Mazda CX-5. It is expected that full deliveries will begin in the new year.
The Yuan Plus is powered by an electric motor expected to produce somewhere around 150kW and 300Nm, and Mr Todd says he expects a range of more than 500km from its 60kWh battery. As for the price, Mr. Todd says the Yuan Plus will cost "about $40,000."
“Right or wrong, there has been concern about the distance in Australia. That is why we have made a commitment that any BYD-branded vehicle can travel 450 km in real-world conditions, and this should instill confidence in the transition to electric vehicles,” he says.
“Yuan Plus will be an extremely attractive car, extremely well refined, with a long range of more than 500 km, and really in that nice place, which is a high-rise SUV that is very attractive to a wide range of people.
“It will be around $40,000, which in terms of the quality of the car, range and what it offers in terms of charging speed and safety, will be key for us.”
The Yuan Plus will be followed by a larger car in mid-2022, believed to be the successor to the current Chinese market Han, which Mr Todd describes as a "powerful, beefy car."
And close behind will be the next generation EA1, known domestically as the Dolphin, which is a city car the size of a Toyota Corolla that will deliver 450km in Australia.
Also on the cards until the end of 2023 is a still-under-development competitor to the Toyota HiLux and a successor to the Chinese market Tang, as well as a sixth vehicle that is still a mystery.
Critical to BYD's plans is an online sales model in Australia, with no physical dealerships, service and maintenance to be carried out by a yet-to-be-announced national vehicle maintenance company, with vehicle on-board diagnostics. to alert customers when it's time for service or repair.
“All of our transactions will be online. But we see our investment in more than just engaging with our customers in more meaningful ways. Whether it's through constant communication, benefits and effective club membership. We have a lot more to announce,” says Mr. Todd.
“We are negotiating with a nationwide well-known organization as our service partner. It doesn't mean that you buy a car and never hear about us, it's the other way around. We see that our relationship continues until you want to leave this vehicle.
“We will have a range of opportunities for customers to touch and feel the vehicles and test drive them, and we will announce this shortly.”
In terms of service, Nexport has not yet detailed its warranty promise, but has noted a potential lifetime warranty on its batteries, as well as the ability to upgrade those batteries without the need for vehicle upgrades.
"It's better than what people think, but it's going to be very comprehensive."
