BYD now has 500 global stores with a milestone dealership opening in Essendon under the Eagers Automotive banner.

Eagers actually opened two dealerships in Melbourne – one in Essendon and the other in Brighton – which now gives BYD 42 national showrooms with plans to expand to 50 in March.The dealer group said that the opening of the strategic dealerships reaffirmed BYD’s commitment to expanding its audience of Australian consumers to its growing line-up of new-energy vehicles.

L-R: Xueliang Liu and Jon Wainwright

That range includes Australia’s first plug-in hybrid electric ute, the Shark 6, and the Sealion 7 SUV that was launched early February in Adelaide and recorded 500 orders in the first 24 hours of its unveiling.BYD, which is distributed by EVDirect and retailed through Eagers, said the new Melbourne sites represent some of the biggest automotive sales hubs in Victoria which strengthens its ability to meet the demand for electrified vehicles in Australia.

EVDirect CEO David Smitherman said: “2024 was a brilliant year for BYD sales in Australia, and, with demand only growing after the introduction of Shark 6 and Sealion 7, these dealerships will play a pivotal role in ensuring customers’ needs are met”.BYD has six models in its Australian range – Atto3, Dolphin, Seal, Sealion 6 and Sealion 7, and Shark – and has another two planned for this year. It will also launch the Denza nameplate in Australia this year as a sub-brand.

Mr Smitherman said BYD aims to double sales year-on-year. It sold almost 20,500 units in 2024, so plans on about 40,000 units in 2025.

Denza is expected to be represented in Australia by the factory, apart from the current import/distribution arrangement with BYD and EVDirect.

Denza will operate from different showrooms and dealerships. Its first model is expected to be the Prado-size B5 SUV with a plug-in hybrid powerplant. The company also has a D9 people mover made as a hybrid or EV; and a large SUV, the B8.

Denza is a former joint venture with BYD and Mercedes-Benz, with BYD acquiring all the business in late 2024.