BYD Ute Reviews

BYD expects its hybrid seven-seat Sealion 8 will be its next segment-dominating offering.

In a milestone market share breakthrough vehicles manufactured in China accounted for one in five new cars sold in Australia in October this year.

One brand has set its sights on making a serious dent in the Aussie car market.China's BYD is aiming to sell 1.6 million vehicles outside its domestic market in 2026, according to Reuters, and Australia will be integral to achieving this. The news comes from a report in global banking outlet Citi. BYD already sells an extensive and diverse range of vehicles in Australia, with more still in the works.Its all-electric Dolphin small hatchback is the currently the brand’s cheapest offering, starting from $29,990, before on-road costs, however this will likely soon change with the introduction of the smaller Atto 1.Beyond its sprawling electric vehicle (EV) line-up, the company also has a strong selection of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, including the Sealion 6 SUV, and the increasingly popular Shark 6 ute, which alone boasts more than 15,000 sales so far in 2025. Reuters claims that BYD has built at least eight mega factories in China in the last five years, but has been expanding this to overseas locations such as Hungary, Turkey and Brazil. By the end of 2025, the brand plans to begin production of some of its Dolphin hatchbacks in Hungary.All BYD models currently offered in Australia are produced in China, for reference.With the Chinese car market becoming increasingly segmented thanks to brands like Geely and Leapmotor, BYD faces a tough sell domestically.It is looking to overseas markets to tap into potential new sales, pursuing a top-three place in the Australian new car market by the end of 2026. BYD’s desired sales increase would represent a substantial shift from its sales figures outside of China in 2025, which are expected to sit at around one million. Its sales in Europe, North America and South East Asia account for one-third of the company's total sales.BYD is not immune from the fierce competition of its domestic market in Australia, with other Chinese manufacturers targeting the segment as well. Brands such as Chery and GWM have plenty of options for buyers particularly in the sought-after family SUV category, and MG has a similarly affordable and enticing vehicle line-up.

BYD has launched the 2026 update for its M9 people-mover, called the Xia in its home nation.The plug-in hybrid van is a relatively new addition to BYD’s line-up, and is closely related to the Denza D9, a similarly sized, more upmarket people-mover.The BYD M9 is already scoring new batteries, updated tech and even better fuel efficiency, less than a year after its initial launch in China.With a range of up to 1163km (tested under lenient CLTC methods) in its longest-range variant, the BYD M9 costs between the equivalent of A$45,000 and $58,000 in China.Four variants with either 100km or 218km of EV-only range are available, with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine helping charge and power the battery and wheels respectively.While the M9 itself hasn’t been confirmed for Australia, nor its Denza D9 sibling, the brand hasn’t ruled either out in the past.Denza in particular is currently focused on launching its B5 and B8 SUVs, while BYD’s line-up has already been significantly bolstered in recent years. A people-mover wouldn’t look out of place in either brand’s model line-ups.Denza boss Mark Harland told CarsGuide the brand wouldn’t look at smaller segment models, such as people-movers, until it had established itself in volume segments like large SUVs.“It’s real simple: Volume - the large segment in particular - this is what Australians buy, this is where volume is for us,” he told CarsGuide recently.“I want to establish the brand with B5 and B8 - get some wins under the belt, get those sales and establish the network.“Then we can look at the smaller segments - the Z9 GT, the D9 later - but we want to fish where the fish are first.”Stay tuned.

China’s BYD has just given the Atto 3 small electric SUV a major update for the domestic market.

The BYD Shark 6 is one of the best-selling plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in Australia and it has caught the attention of many automotive engineers who are looking into why it is so popular.

Australian new car market continues to shift in October 2024.

Australia gets yet another ute but does the BYD Shark 6 Premium deliver?

BYD is one of the fastest growing brands in Australia and its product line-up is about to get even bigger. The BYD Sealion 8 is its first seven-seat family SUV and it is coming to Australia soon!

BYD looks to beat the automakers of Japan on their own turf.