BYD NZ – Warren Willmot
Company Vehicle: Can you identify your brand’s single leadership area when it comes to non-ice product? PHEV/BEV/ Self charge hybrid/mhev or other?
BYD NZ: BYD is the world’s leading and largest manufacturer of NEVS (New Energy Vehicles). BYD has three key areas leading our rapid growth and success: Almost complete vertical integration, more so than any other car company
Being a battery maker first and foremost, our battery chemistry is unrivalled and so good, other car brands are buying our batteries. Our company’s mission is to Cool the Earth by One Degree, meaning we will always choose sustainability over profit.
Company Vehicle: What – in your opinion – makes your ‘hero’ non-ice solution better than the others?
BYD NZ: LFP (Lithium Ferris Phosphate) batteries have provided solutions to all the limitations of NCM (Nickel Cadmium) batteries. LFP batteries are super safe, very durable and will likely outlast the car.
In New Zealand, any BEV with a range over 400km is equal to any ICE solution. Quite simply, a driver will need to stop before the car does.
Company Vehicle: Outside of pricing specials, does your brand offer incentives to fleet buyers in respect of non-ice vehicles? BYD NZ: BYD Auto NZ has specific programmes in place for “All of Government” fleet and major fleet operators.
Our BYD app allows a fleet manager to remotely see every car odometer, check tyre pressures, unlock and remote start the car and more.
BYD Auto NZ also has a dedicated panel repair network, meaning fleet buyers have confidence their cars are a priority for getting back on the road in the event of collision damage.
Company Vehicle: Is BYD on track with its vehicle plans here? Have you reached your targets in terms of supplying the market? BYD NZ: BYD has only just begun. We intend to bring models to suit every kiwi lifestyle and business.
In 2023 we bring to market two new models and in 2024 we will see the introduction of DM-I Super Hybrid PHEVS.
Company Vehicle: Do you see a ‘flattening’ of interest or are you still seeing significant uptakes of your non-ice product?
BYD NZ: If we look at the Chinese market – the largest market in the world with 27 million new car sales a year – BYD has grown from 0.03 market share in 2017 to 30 percent market share in 2022. In New Zealand, we are only just starting on the journey to electrification, the next two years will see rapid growth.
Company Vehicle: In your opinion, is the fleet sector engaging more with the idea of non-ice product and are they as informed about it as they should be, or are there still some gaps that need to be filled in terms of education?
BYD NZ: Absolutely the fleet sector is largely on board with a pathway to zero emissions for transport requirements. So far, the options in the market have been limited, expensive and restricted by stock availability. BYD is aiming to change that.
Company Vehicle: What do you see the biggest hurdle to fleets taking up non-ice vehicles? BYD NZ: Many fleets are still confused about charging infrastructure and how to handle staff charging vehicles at home. There are many different ways to handle this.
Company Vehicle: And the biggest advantage?
BYD NZ: There are so many advantages! Fuel and emission savings is top, however. We have also seen some incredible use of our V2L technology during the recent weather events. Houses kept running, medical devices were kept on and businesses could still power their essential 240v equipment all from their BYD. Each ATTO 3 essentially gives 51kw of usable power for 240v appliances.
Company Vehicle: How have you seen government’s support of the uptake of non-ice product, particularly as it pertains to your non-ice product?
BYD NZ: We’ve seen some very large orders from some government departments and local councils. I’d say the initial uptake and support has been excellent.
Company Vehicle: Given there is an election in October, is there a message you would give to an incoming government, or the re-elected government should that happen?
BYD NZ: I think any incoming government realises climate change is a real issue and New Zealand must reduce its vehicle emissions from the transport sector. There has been a lack of products / options for the shift to electrification, but this situation is changing much faster than most realise. Within a few years, BYD will have a product for every part of the light passenger fleet.
Company Vehicle: Has there been any new information, specifically on the electrification of a utility vehicle, which you can share: timelines, development progress, anything, even if it is status quo (and please reiterate the status quo)?
BYD NZ: A picture is worth a thousand words.