BYD reaches 100,000 sales and rushes 30,000 vehicles for essential workers

Key takeaways

• BYD Australia has now delivered 100,000 vehicles since launching in November 2022
• 30,000 extra EVs and hybrids arrive in Australia by end of June 2026
• Essential workers get priority access, not exclusivity, through BYD's dealer network

BYD Australia has delivered its 100,000th vehicle, three and a half years after arriving locally with the Atto 3. The milestone vehicle, a Shark 6 Premium ute, was handed to Brisbane customer Tim Shaw by BYD General Manager Asia Pacific Liu Xueliang this week. On the same visit, Liu committed an extra 30,000 new energy vehicles for Australian customers arriving across May and June.

BYD in Australia: from newcomer to top 10

The brand's rise has been rapid. Sales jumped 156% between 2024 and 2025 climbing from around 20,000 to more than 52,000 vehicles, driven largely by the Sealion 7 SUV and Shark 6 ute. So far in 2026, BYD has reported 17,541 sales, up nearly 10% on the same period last year, putting the brand on track for close to 60,000 deliveries by December.

The Sealion 7 is currently Australia's second-best-selling electric vehicle behind the Tesla Model Y. The Shark 6 has outsold the Volkswagen Amarok, Nissan Navara and Mazda BT-50 year to date.

Essential workers given priority access to extra BYD stock

The additional supply comes with a social dimension. BYD Australia COO Stephen Collins confirmed that doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, police, fire, ambulance and SES volunteers will receive priority access through the dealer network, verified through standard employment documentation.

"Everyone is feeling the pinch," Collins said. "The 30,000 vehicles arriving by June will go a long way to helping."

Priority access means first in line, not locked out. Stock will remain available to the broader public throughout. BYD's vertically integrated supply chain, which let the company scale mask production from five million to 50 million units per day during COVID-19, is what enables it to move this quickly on volume commitments.

More BYD models arriving in Australia soon

The lineup is expanding alongside supply. The Seal 6 sedan and wagon, Shark 6 cab-chassis built for tradies and the range-topping Shark 6 Performance with 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity are all confirmed for imminent Australian launch. The Atto 1, currently Australia's cheapest electric car, and the Atto 2 compact SUV have also recently joined the range.

BYD Seal 6

BYD's luxury Denza sub-brand is now on sale locally with the B5, B8 and D9, and the Z9 GT wagon is due before year's end.

With more stock, more models and a current sales trajectory that could push BYD into Australia's top three best-selling brands, buyers are set to have more choice and shorter wait times than at any point in the brand's local history.

Frequently asked questions

How many vehicles has BYD sold in Australia?

BYD has now delivered 100,000 vehicles in Australia since launching in November 2022, with more than half of those occurring in the past 12 months.

What is BYD's best-selling car in Australia?

The Sealion 7 is BYD's most popular all-electric model and currently Australia's second-best-selling EV in 2026, while the Shark 6 is the top-selling pickup and plug-in hybrid among private buyers.

Will BYD prioritise essential workers over regular buyers?

Essential workers will receive priority access through BYD's dealer network, but not exclusivity. The broader public will still be able to purchase vehicles from the additional 30,000-unit shipment arriving by June 2026.