- BYD NZ has announced it has secured an increased production allocation for New Zealand.
- The company recently sold a record number of vehicles in one day due to rising fuel costs.
- Waiting periods will be capped at a maximum of 90 days, with most deliveries taking place well before that time.
In a move it says is designed to provide consumers with "immediate alternatives to petrol and diesel vehicles" during a period of rising fuel prices and supply uncertainty, BYD New Zealand has announced a significant increase in vehicle production allocation following negotiations with its global headquarters in China.
General Manager Warren Willmot recently concluded discussions in China to ensure New Zealand is prioritised for both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), with the first shipments under the expanded allocation scheduled 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.”
To this end, Willmot said that BYD New Zealand has implemented a maximum wait time of 90 days for new orders, though the company indicates most deliveries will occur well before that limit.
The expanded supply coincides with the introduction of two new plug-in hybrid models designed to compete in segments traditionally dominated by purely-ICE driven vehicles; the BYD Seal 6 Touring station wagon and the long awaited 2.0-litre version of the popular Shark 6 ute.
While the Seal 6 Touring is a long-range family vehicle that utilises a plug-in hybrid system to deliver up to 1600 kilometres of combined range, BYD NZ says the 2.0-litre version of the Shark 6 is "a high-capability alternative to traditional diesel utes" and packs a 3500-kilogram braked towing capacity.
According to Willmot, the strategy focuses on providing a step-change in supply so that motorists can transition away from the fuel cycle without remaining on lengthy waiting lists.
"We’re not here to play on the edges of the market - we’re here to change it," said Willmot.
"Whether it’s a family car or a work ute, there is no reason to stay locked into petrol or diesel anymore. The vehicles are here, the supply is here, and the wait times are gone."
Wing You, General Manager of BYD Australasia, said that the increased allocation reflects the manufacturer's long-term commitment to the New Zealand market and its global objective of reducing reliance on oil.
"BYD headquarters is fully committed to the New Zealand market and to helping Kiwis move beyond fuel dependency," he said.
"Our mission is to cool the Earth by one degree and reduce reliance on oil. Every Kiwi - whether an individual, a business, or a government fleet - should have access to new energy vehicles. This increase in supply is about turning that vision into reality, right now."
BYD NZ says that with supply increasing and new models arriving, it urges customers not to wait and that interested parties should contact local dealerships or visit the official website as the first of the new shipments arrive this May.