BYD ditching key feature

BYD is phasing out one of its key features that sets it apart from the crowd.

CarsGuide understands the BYD Atto 1 will be the first BYD to model to go without a rotating touchscreen multimedia system in Australia.

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Additionally it's understood the Sealion 5 and Sealion 8 plug-in hybrid SUVs will also go without a rotating touchscreen once they launch in Australia in early 2026.

This follows a report from CarScoops indicating the Chinese carmaker is starting to phase the rotating screen technology across the wider BYD line-up.

One key reason for this, according to BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li, is customers liked having the rotating screen, but it limited compatibility with smartphone mirroring apps Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

As it currently stands these smartphone mirroring apps only work in BYDs when the screen is in landscape mode.

Additionally Li notes usage of the portrait mode for the touchscreen is low.

In Europe and the UK all BYD models will soon have their touchscreens locked in the landscape position. The first model to have this is the Atto 2, though it's understood to be retaining the technology in Australia.

Li told CarScoops BYD is planning to deepen collaboration with tech companies like Apple and Google. Having the screen locked in one position makes integration of new technology simpler.

This isn’t the first time that BYD has moved away from a design quirk. A few years ago the brand moved away from badging its cars with ‘Build Your Dreams’, instead replacing them with simpler ‘BYD’ badges.

BYD’s global aspirations have well and truly ramped up over the past few years.

In Australia the Chinese carmaker is currently planning to become a top-three best-selling carmaker by the end of 2026.

“For this year we’ll do around 55,000 units, whether that lands us at number eight or number seven, I’m not obsessed with that, but the way I look at it, this time last year we were number 16 and we’re going to finish this year at seven or eight-ish, and we just want to keep that momentum going,” said BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins in October 2025.

“So, you know, we haven’t settled on what we think the number will be for next year because it’s still a bit fluid, but you know, I think we’ll be aiming around top three.”