We’ll take it from here – BYD goes it alone in Australia’s passenger car market, leaving EV Direct as a dealer partner

In news that has sent shockwaves through the EV community in Australia, today BYD taken over local distribution from their initial Australian distribution partner EVDirect thus becoming their own Australian distributor. EVDirect were responsible for the distribution of BYD passenger vehicles and promotion of the brand throughout Australia since they launched in 2022 with their first offering the Atto 3.

First reported by carsource.com, BYD has made the move to take that responsibility on themselves.

It is being reported that this move is aligned with BYD’s overall strategy of a factory backed distribution supply chain.

The change will take effect from July 2025. EV Dealer Group Pty Ltd which has been BYD’s primary retail partner since the brand launched in 2022 with Eagers as the majority stakeholder will still continue operating as BYD in this role, having existing agreements in place with further options available.

In what must have been a very challenging initial few years, EVDirect have not only grown from a standing start in the competitive new car space but to do in the Australian market where traditional fuel is king and internal combustion engines are engrained in the nation’s DNA, add to that  in a turbulent and pioneering market such as electric cars their achievement is remarkable. Not without its share of bumps along the way Luke Todd and his team have achieved amazing results with a new concept and new brand, leaving BYD a strong foundation on which to take advantage. No other Chinese brand is even half as close to the success they have built.

Confirming to EFTM the shift in strategy, Founder of EV Direct Luke Todd says “Now is the time to further unlock BYD’s immense potential for Australian drivers”

Todd is now the incoming Executive Chairman of the JV retail entity EVDealer Group (EVDG). “Phase One proved the BYD brand would thrive here; Phase Two will make new-energy vehicle ownership easier and more accessible than ever”.

Recently BYD reached the impressive goal of achieving over 50,000 electric car sales in Australia and was aiming to achieve that figure again this year from their now 6 vehicle strong offering both in pure EV’s (The Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal and the newest addition to the BEV fleet, the Sealion 7) and Hybrids (Sealion 6 and the Ute that is taking Australia by storm, the Shark).

The EV Dealer Group joint venture says they will “will “continue to expand its existing retail network as BYD’s largest sales and service channel”.

According to the group, they say Customers can expect: 

• Expanded retail footprint incorporating new and innovative retail formats for a seamless showroom and service experience.
• Shorter wait times and greater stock availability, backed by BYD’s unparalleled right-hand-drive supply chain.
• Enhanced National after-sales support from Australia’s most experienced automotive retailer.

David Smitherman, appointed Chief Executive Officer of EVDG, added: “EVDG is proud to represent BYD in Australia, we are investing heavily in our people, our systems and expanding our dealer network to support BYD’s growth ambitions. The JV partners will combine the best of both companies to provide an industry leading sales and aftersales experience for BYD customers”. provide an industry leading sales and after-sales experience for BYD customers”

It’s now on BYD Global to continue to run with success created by the EV Direct team, in a super competitive market segment, any mis-step could be sink or swim but the BYD brand has strength in Australia, and if the dealer group can hit those new expectations – success is likely.