BYD NZ accelerates its imports amid fuel crisis

The BYD Atto 1is one of the cheapest EVs in the NZ market. Photos: BYD

As fuel prices continue to surge and supply uncertainty rattles motorists, BYD New Zealand has taken decisive action - locking in a major increase in vehicle supply to give Kiwis a real,  immediate alternative to petrol and diesel. 

BYD NZ General Manager, Warren Willmot, has completed urgent negotiations in China, where he pushed the headquarters to prioritise New Zealand. 

The outcome is a significant uplift in production across both Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), with the first shipments landing from May.

At a time when many brands are constrained by supply, BYD is moving in the opposite direction - flooding the market with new energy vehicles and giving customers a way out of the fuel cycle.

The hybrid BYD Seal 6 wagon is set to arrive in May.

“Let’s be clear - Kiwis are over being at the mercy of the petrol pump,” said Willmot.

“We did not go to China to have conversations - we went to secure vehicles. And we’ve done exactly that. This is a step-change in supply that means people can act now,  not sit on a waiting list while fuel prices climb.” 

BYD New Zealand is now capping maximum wait times at 90 days, with most customers expected to ttake delivery significantly sooner - putting it among the fastest-moving brands in the market.

The brand is also adding new models to its fleet in May, including the BYD Seal 06 plug-in hybrid station wagon with a range of 1000km. Also arriving is the BYD Shark 6 2L high-capability plug-in hybrid ute with a 2.0-litre powertrain.

BYD NZ also recently welcomed the Atto 1 and Atto 2 electric vehicles. The Atto 1 has a starting price of $29,990, making it one of the cheapest new EVs in our market. The Atto 2 is priced from $39,990.