Drive.com.au
BYD has revealed plans to launch a new vehicle developed specifically for Australian customers, with the Chinese automotive giant teasing a mystery model expected to be unveiled later this year.
The announcement was made during a media conference in Melbourne attended by Drive, where BYD Asia-Pacific general manager Liu Xueliang confirmed the company was preparing something unique for the Australian market.
“We have another special model just for Australian customers,” Mr Liu said through an interpreter.
While speculation had centred on the possibility of the newly unveiled BYD Dolphin G plug-in hybrid hatch arriving in Australia, Mr Liu ruled out those plans, confirming the model had been developed primarily for European markets.
The Dolphin G, which is smaller than the standard electric Dolphin and will be produced in right-hand drive for markets including the United Kingdom, had sparked hopes it could eventually make its way to Australia.
Instead, BYD appears to have something entirely different in store.
BYD Australia and New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins remained tight-lipped on further details but confirmed more information would be released later this year.
“We’ll have more to say about that later in the year,” Mr Collins said.
The announcement comes amid a remarkable period of growth for the brand in Australia.
Recent figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show BYD sold 33,454 vehicles between January and May this year, more than doubling the 15,199 vehicles sold during the same period in 2025.
The company has emerged as Australia’s second-best-selling automotive brand in recent months, recording 8211 sales in May and 7702 in April as demand for electric and hybrid vehicles continues to accelerate.
Mr Liu was in Melbourne for the arrival of the BYD Zhengzhou vessel, which delivered almost 5000 vehicles from Shanghai as part of the company’s commitment to bring 30,000 vehicles into Australia across May and June.
The import push has been driven by strong local demand, with rising fuel prices and increasing consumer interest in electrified vehicles helping fuel the brand’s rapid expansion.
Despite its growing market share, Mr Liu downplayed suggestions BYD was focused on overtaking long-time market leader Toyota.
“With rankings, we just let the market decide,” he said.
