BYD Auto NZ brought in its largest shipment of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) to date in August, with two vessels arriving into Auckland at the end of the month. The Morning Cara carried 2,395 units and the Morning Celesta a further 355, taking the combined shipment to 2,750 vehicles, the single largest volume BYD Auto NZ has imported since it established operations in New Zealand.
Between them, the two vessels covered most of the current BYD range, including the all-new Atto 3 Evo, the previously unseen Atto 2 DM-i, and the recently launched Shark 6 Performance ute. The Atto 2 DM-i’s arrival was notable in its own right — it brought BYD’s plug-in hybrid DM-i powertrain to New Zealand for the first time in this model, widening the brand’s play beyond pure electric drivetrains and giving dealers a genuine option for customers not yet ready to commit to a full EV.
Clearing a backlog
Strong demand for new energy vehicles, combined with ongoing shipping constraints out of China, had created a backlog of BYD orders dating back to April. The shipment cleared that backlog while also building on-ground stock for new customers.
Jenni Martin, BYD Auckland’s General Manager, said the increased supply would ease pressure on lead times. “This significant increase in supply will help us meet our increasing customer demand more efficiently, reduce delivery lead times, and ensure more New Zealanders can experience BYD’s innovative and sustainable mobility solutions. We are excited to continue supporting the rapid growth of the BYD brand in NZ.”
Coastal shipping to the South Island
To speed up delivery for South Island customers, BYD NZ arranged coastal shipping from the Port of Auckland to Lyttelton, moving vehicles by sea rather than road, cutting delivery times to the South Island while easing pressure on the national freight network.
A landmark for the brand
Warren Willmot, General Manager of BYD Auto NZ, called the shipment a local landmark for the brand. “Bringing in our largest-ever shipment of NEVs shows just how far we’ve come, and how strong demand has been from Kiwi drivers who want an affordable, reliable path into electric and hybrid vehicle ownership. We’re proud to be playing our part in New Zealand’s transition to cleaner transport, and this shipment means more Kiwis than ever will be able to get behind the wheel of a BYD.”
With the new stock now landed, BYD dealerships nationwide are better positioned to meet demand heading into summer, as the brand continues to grow its dealer network and expand its vehicle line-up.
