BYD NZ warns of delivery delays amid EV demand

BYD Auto New Zealand says strong demand for its vehicles is creating delivery delays, with some customers facing waits of up to four weeks longer than originally expected.

General manager Warren Willmot says more than 2000 BYD vehicles are currently built and ready for shipment in China but are awaiting space on vessels bound for New Zealand.

In a video update to customers, Willmot said the issue was not vehicle production but limited shipping capacity serving New Zealand.

“I have over 2000 vehicles sitting in China. They’re built, they’re ready, they’re waiting to make their way to your driveways,” he says.

Willmot says demand for BYD vehicles had surged across both New Zealand and Australia, contributing to pressure on available shipping services.

He says some Australian distributors were booking space on vessels destined for New Zealand before transhipping vehicles across the Tasman, further reducing capacity available for New Zealand-bound deliveries.

“What’s happening is that the Australian car companies are filling up the boats destined for New Zealand just so they can ship their cars from China to Auckland and then over to Australia,” he says.

As a result, some customers are experiencing delivery delays of three to four weeks beyond their original estimated arrival dates.

Willmot says BYD was working to secure additional shipping capacity and investigate alternative transport options to reduce wait times.

“We’re not going to leave any stone unturned.”

He adds customers would receive their vehicles and encouraged them to contact their local dealer for the latest delivery information.

“They will let you know the very moment that your vehicle is loaded onto a ship,” he says.