Seagull city EV under strong consideration as BYD NZ eyes range expansion

BYD’s Seagull EV could soon land in New Zealand showrooms, with BYD New Zealand country manager Warren Willmot confirming the compact city car is under serious review for local release.

Speaking to Auto Media Group managing editor Richard Edwards at BYD headquarters in Shenzhen, China, Willmot says the Seagull’s combination of affordability, modern tech and efficient packaging has generated strong local interest. “It’s probably the most talked-about car we’ve seen on this trip,” he says.

“We need to get that car under $30,000 for it to really work in New Zealand, but it’s definitely a segment we’re actively studying.”

BYD New Zealand expands network after long-term deal confirmed

Ateco Automotive New Zealand has confirmed it is expanding its BYD dealer and service network across the country, following the signing of a long-term agreement to distribute the Chinese brand locally earlier this year.

Willmot says the brand is gearing up for steady, sustainable growth after what he calls a “tough” 2024 for the EV segment.

“New Zealand is a very different market to Australia, and I can confirm that the recent change in distribution over there has no impact on us,” he says. “We have renewed our agreement with BYD and are focused on building a strong, stable presence.”

New dealerships and service centres planned for regional NZ

Willmot says Ateco is currently filling service coverage gaps in regional areas and inviting expressions of interest for new dealerships, particularly in Southland, with Rotorua soon to be added to the sales and service network.

The company now operates 15 showrooms and supports more than 25 authorised panel shops nationally. It has also appointed new service partners in Kerikeri and Gisborne and is seeking options on the West Coast.

Willmot says fleet and government sales remain a core part of BYD’s strategy, but its retail offering is expected to strengthen with new product additions.

EV and PHEV model expansion under review

“We’re looking closely at expanding the range with vehicles that are fit for our market – right spec, right price, and profitable for our dealers,” he says.

That could include the Seagull city EV, Atto 2 small EV SUV, two new Sealion SUVs in the form of a lower-priced five-seater and larger 7-seater models, and a number of models under the luxury Denza and Yangwang brands. While he wouldn’t commit to specific launch dates, Willmot confirms these vehicles are under active review.

Willmot acknowledges that after a sharp decline in EV sales in early 2024—dropping from 653 BYD registrations in December 2023 to just 28 in February 2024—the market has begun showing signs of recovery. “We’ve already exceeded all of last year’s sales within the first four months of 2025,” he says, attributing the turnaround to a more diverse product mix and renewed fleet interest.

The recent launch of the Shark plug-in hybrid ute has also contributed to BYD’s sales rebound, signalling a broader shift toward dual-powertrain vehicles in response to changing local incentives and consumer demand.

Parts supply and aftersales support a priority for BYD NZ

He adds that parts availability has been a key priority, with a dedicated 5,000m² parts warehouse in Auckland and a willingness to “pull parts from new cars” if needed to keep customers on the road.

While some BYD customers across the Tasman have voiced frustration over service and parts delays, Willmot says New Zealand has avoided similar issues thanks to forward planning and local warehousing. “We have visibility into the entire global parts network and can get most items here within three days,” he says.

“We won’t bring in a car our dealers can’t make money on,” Willmot adds. “It has to work for customers, the dealer network, and BYD. That’s the model we’re building our business on.”

“Every vehicle we’ve launched so far has been ANCAP five-star rated, and while future safety standards may shift, we’re committed to delivering safe, reliable and well-supported vehicles across the range.”

Watch the full interview filmed at BYD’s global headquarters in Shenzhen, China here: