BYD News

BYD is on an absolute tear, revealing new models at break-neck speed. The latest vehicle is from its FangChengBao (FCB) range, which will be branded Denza in Australia.

Geely is latest to issue warning about the unsustainable state of global car market joining GWM and even the Chinese government in concerns about price-cuts and oversupply.

As the trade war between the US and China intensifies, new reports from auto industry suppliers cast a dark cloud over important component supply for new cars.Beijing has placed some key minerals on an ‘export control list’ as part of a response to the Trump administration’s increased tariffs on goods imported from China. This has disrupted global supply chains and could potentially lead to the same six-month-plus wait times for new vehicles, which was experienced during COVID-related factory shut-downs and supply disruptions.Seven of the minerals on the list for export restrictions are rare earths — a group of materials used for the production of alloys and magnets — which are key components in many automotive parts from mirrors to fluid pumps, but particularly permanent magnets used in EV and hybrid motors and alternators for combustion cars.China is responsible for up to 90 per cent of production of these key components, and Reuters cited executives from suppliers who said the “industry was in full panic” over restrictions on supply.The publication also cited analysts who said the knock-on effects of the restrictions could force automakers to make cars without certain parts and park them until they become available - in echoes of similar practices that took place during the COVID-era supply disruptions. During the COVID-era and subsequent microprocessor shortage, some cars were delivered without various difficult-to-acquire features like blind spot monitoring, either through the introduction of limited variants or tweaks to standard specifications.How bad could it get? During the peak of the COVID-19 era shortages, models in high demand such as the Toyota RAV4 were attracting wait times of more than 24 months.Fresh supply shortages could start as soon as July as the world’s automakers analyse the impact on their supply chains.It seems automakers from Europe, America, and Japan will be most exposed to these issues, handing Chinese automakers yet another advantage over their rivals.Reuters also reported Hyundai Group and its suppliers have stockpiled between six to twelve months of rare earths.Another round of supply shortages or price increases to traditionally popular brands could continue to transform the landscape of new cars in Australia. During the microprocessor shortage, less exposed brands such as MG and GWM started to leap up the sales charts at the expense of others, a trend that hasn’t been reversed since.The same Reuters report said some companies seeking to shake China’s hold on the supply of magnets and key materials, either through recycling existing materials or building new parts which are rare-earth-free, have seen a boost in interest since restrictions began in April, but it could take years for these suppliers to have the scale be able to meet demand or be cost competitive with Chinese exporters.As usual, Australia will be particularly exposed to any supply-related changes, as our relatively low-volume market tends to be far down on the priority list for the largest groups out of Japan and Europe.During the previous new-car shortages, even prices of used cars skyrocketed as buyers couldn't wait to source individual transport away from a risk of being exposed to COVID in a double-whammy effect. The effect on used car prices in some segments has never recovered to pre-covid levels.

BYD has confirmed Australian timing for its version of Lexus and Genesis.

BYD will expand its line-up with two key models in critical segments.

Mahindra has finally confirmed that the Jeep Wrangler-style body-on-frame Thar as we know it will not be imported to Australia.

BYD could be the one Chinese car brand to rule them all, as it flexes its muscles to smash the competition.

BYD is planning to roll out up to 15,000 of its recently-revealed megawatt chargers across China, revealing its blueprint for world EV domination.

It’s EOFY time again!

Is BYD about to go on a massive ute offensive?Fresh spy photos published by CarNewChina show a heavily camouflaged BYD ute, which features more SUV-like looks compared to the burly appeal of the Shark 6.Is this potentially a new SUV-based ute, in a similar vein the current Ford maverick or the former Holden Commodore ute, or is it a China-specific version of the Shark 6?Much of the rear of the vehicle looks like the Shark 6, but the front end has new styling reminiscent of some of the Chinese makers vehicles in its home market.The Shark 6, which currently is not on sale in China, could be getting toned down styling to suit the country's tastes. The version on sale in Australia and other export markets is pitched towards the butch American-style pick-up looks preferred abroad.The other option is a more lifestyle ute focused more on city driving. This means ditching the workhorse ladder-frame chassis that underpins the Shark 6 in favour of a softer SUV platform.BYD’s soon-to-be former importer EVDirect had previously expressed interest in a full-size ute to sit above the Shark 6. This ute is not that.Last year EVDirect CEO, David Smitherman, said to CarsGuide the only way to go in the ute segment is up, especially if sales of the Shark 6 take off in the way that the company is hoping for.“But, you can see that the range of different (types of) utes in Australia is significant,” said Smitherman.“We've had significant interest from fleets around (the Shark 6 and future variants there-of) …and around full-sized utes as well.“And you know how passionate I am with my prior history about the full-sized ute segment,” he said.The Shark 6 has had meteoric success in Australia in the first few months on sale. More than 6000 examples of the ute have found a new home through the first four months of this year. This is due to its sharp $57,900 (before on-roads) price tag and game-changing plug-in hybrid seat-up.The Shark 6 combines a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and dual electric motors that provide all-wheel drive grip and deliver 321kW and 650Nm.This is paired with a circa-29.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. This can be replenished with a max 7kW AC charge or 55kW when hooked up to a DC fast charger.BYD claims the Shark 6 can be driven up to 100km on pure electric power and drinks 2.0L/100km for a total driving range of 800km. If you have less than 20 per cent battery the engine will drink a claimed 7.9L/100km.