16 March 2026 — BYD New Zealand has recorded a major upswing in demand, selling 80 new BYD vehicles on Saturday, equivalent to one vehicle every six minutes during trading hours. This milestone
reflects New Zealanders’ accelerating shift toward electric vehicles, further reinforced by BYD being awarded the Consumer NZ People’s Choice Award for 2026 — officially recognising BYD as New Zealand’s most trusted automotive brand.
BYD New Zealand General Manager Warren Willmot attributes the surge to two main forces: rapidly rising fuel prices influenced by geopolitical conflict in the Middle East, and BYD’s expanded 2026 model lineup.
“Kiwis are clearly voting with their wallets,” says Willmot. “Higher petrol prices are pushing people to reconsider the cost of driving, and BYD’s five new models — ATTO 1, ATTO 2, Sealion 5, Sealion 8, and the Cab Chassis Shark — are giving customers more choice, more value, and more reasons to go electric.”
BYD Wins the 2026 Consumer NZ People’s Choice Award – Recognition backed by real customer experience
BYD has been named the 2026 People’s Choice Winner for Car Ownership, awarded by Consumer NZ — New Zealand’s leading independent consumer organisation.
The People’s Choice accreditation recognises brands that deliver:
- Exceptional real-world customer satisfaction
- Above-average product reliability and performance
- High levels of consumer trust and loyalty
The award is based on independent nationwide research conducted every two years, capturing ownership experiences across thousands of Kiwi households and measuring satisfaction, trust, longevity and repair behaviour.
Key Consumer NZ Stats from the 2026 Report
- Consumer NZ’s audience includes 179,458 members and supporters, plus 3.3 million annual website users, providing one of the most comprehensive consumer sentiment datasets in the country.
- The Consumer NZ brand enjoys 72% national recognition, providing strong credibility behind its awards.
- People’s Choice accreditation distinguishes brands that “consistently exceed expectations in satisfaction, reliability and trust.”
- This recognition positions BYD as the most trusted car brand in New Zealand, reinforcing that BYD isn’t just winning sales — it’s winning hearts, confidence, and long-term customer loyalty.
Stock Allocation Tightens as Demand Surges
Following the weekend’s record results, BYD New Zealand has fully allocated all in-country and arriving March stock to its dealer network. Vehicles remain available for immediate delivery, but some colours and configurations are already sold out for the next one to two months. “We expected strong interest, but this level of demand has exceeded even our most optimistic forecasts,” Willmot says. “If you’re thinking about going electric and saving on fuel, now really is the time — stock is still available, but it’s moving quickly.” To meet demand, BYD New Zealand will increase its next shipment, arriving in June, ensuring greater availability across winter.
More New Models Coming Soon
Adding to momentum, BYD will expand its lineup further in the coming months with three new models:
- Shark 6 — a 2.0-litre super-hybrid ute with 3.5-tonne tow capacity
- Seal 06 Station Wagon — entering the growing family and fleet segment
- ATTO 2 Super Hybrid — combining advanced hybrid tech with BYD’s renowned efficiency
About BYD New Zealand
BYD is a global leader in new energy vehicles, dedicated to technological innovations for a greener future. In New Zealand, BYD is committed to providing innovative, high-quality electric vehicles and supporting the nation’s zero-emissions transport goals, and is the largest supplier of “Plugged-in” vehicles to the New Zealand Government.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Rebecca Anderson
PR Manager
Ateco Automotive New Zealand
Mobile: 021 970 982
E: randerson@ateco.co.nz
Sarah Williams
Marketing & Communications Manager
Ateco Automotive New Zealand
Mobile: 021 938 551
E: swilliams@ateco.co.n
