BYD Cuts EVDirect And Eagers in A Major Shakeup

Australia’s fastest-growing electric vehicle brand, BYD, is changing the way it does business down under. In a move that ends the exclusive arrangement with Eagers Automotive and sidelines its original distributor EVDirect, the company will now take full control of importing and distributing its vehicles in Australia.

Let’s walk through what’s changing, why it matters, and how it could shape your next EV purchase.

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BYD takes the wheel: Direct import and distribution from July

From July this year, BYD will start importing and distributing its vehicles directly, cutting out third-party distributors like EVDirect. The shift gives the Chinese automaker more control over local operations, including pricing, model rollout, and after-sales service.

This move brings Australia in line with BYD’s global strategy which has been tightening its grip on key overseas markets as it expands rapidly. It also sets the stage for new factory-backed sub-brands like Denza, BYD’s luxury arm, and possibly even Yangwang, the high-end SUV maker currently testing vehicles similar in size to the Toyota LandCruiser.

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Eagers stays in the picture but loses exclusivity

Eagers Automotive, Australia’s largest car dealership group and a key player in BYD’s local success, will no longer have exclusive rights to sell BYD vehicles. Instead, BYD will now be able to appoint other authorised dealers, widening its retail reach.

Still, Eagers isn’t going anywhere. It will continue to operate around 50 BYD showrooms and service centres nationwide, part of a network that’s expected to grow significantly. In fact, the company has already stated plans to expand its BYD footprint, subject to approvals.

The Eagers BYD Dealership was formed via a joint venture with EVDirect called EV Dealer Group Pty Ltd, in which it holds an 80% stake. This group will continue to run existing BYD outlets and likely play a big role in the brand’s retail expansion.

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Sales momentum: BYD now outselling Tesla in Australia

If you’ve noticed more BYDs on the road lately, you’re not imagining it. The brand is now selling more cars than Tesla in Australia and ranked as the tenth best-selling car brand nationally last month.

Between January and April this year, BYD sold 11,974 vehicles, more than double the 5,891 it sold during the same period in 2023. That puts it on track for around 36,000 sales in 2024. This is a strong trajectory but still about 30% short of its goal to reach 50,000 annual sales by 2025.

That goal, if met, would place BYD ahead of brands like Nissan and Isuzu Ute, and well into Australia’s top 10 carmakers.

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Why now? A growing brand needs more control

BYD's shift to in-house operations has been a long time coming. Over the past year, the company has hired local staff in key roles like aftersales, PR, and product planning to prep for the transition. Its product lineup is now wife enough to justify the takeover, now including models like the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, Sealion 6, Sealion 7, and the upcoming Shark.

The change also reflects BYD’s growing confidence in the Australian market, which has become one of its most successful outside China.

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What it means for Aussie EV buyers

For current and future BYD owners, this shakeup could bring clearer communication, better local support, and faster model updates. Direct control means BYD can roll out new vehicles and improvements without relying on intermediaries.

We’re also likely to see more retail outlets and service centres, which should improve convenience, especially in regional areas. And while prices aren’t expected to drop overnight, direct importation could eventually help BYD stay competitive as Australia’s EV market becomes more crowded.