Video: BYD outlines next phase for NZ as price parity becomes reality
BYD New Zealand general manager Warren Willmot says the brand’s upcoming models mark an important next step in making electric and electrified vehicles accessible to more New Zealand buyers.
In an EVs & Beyond video interview, Willmot spoke about the company’s newest additions — the Atto 1, Atto 2, and Sealion 5 — and how they fit into a maturing market where electric vehicles are no longer the preserve of early adopters.
“This is the moment we get actual price parity for an electric car versus petrol rivals,” he said. “I’ve never been more excited about a launch.”
The $30k EV moment
The Atto 1, priced from $29,990 + ORC, is BYD’s smallest and least expensive model yet. Willmot describes it as the first time an electric vehicle has entered true price competition with small petrol hatchbacks such as the Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris, and Mazda 2.
Two variants will be offered — the Essential and Premium — with the larger-battery Premium providing more than 300 km of WLTP range. Both versions share BYD’s Blade Battery technology, a five-star Euro NCAP rating, and features such as 360-degree cameras, Vehicle-to-Load capability, and the BYD Owners App that allows digital key sharing.
“For a lot of people, this will start as their second car and end up becoming their main one,” Willmot said. “It’s ideal as a pool car — safe, high-spec and simple to run.”
He expects the model to attract not just private buyers but also fleet customers, thanks to its low running costs and factory warranty support.
Expanding beyond early adopters
While BYD has already established a strong presence in New Zealand’s new-energy market, Willmot says the goal now is to broaden appeal with a wider range of models and drivetrains.
The next arrival will be the Atto 2, a compact crossover positioned between the Atto 1 and the larger Atto 3. It shares a 51 kWh Blade Battery, providing around 345 km WLTP range, and will start at $39,990 + ORC for the Dynamic variant.
“It competes directly with other small electric SUVs such as the MG ZS EV and Leapmotor models,” Willmot said. “At that entry point it’s a very sharp package.”
The Dolphin, which remains available with a larger 60 kWh battery, will continue in smaller volumes, mainly for fleet applications.
Plug-in hybrid option joins the line-up
BYD will also introduce the Sealion 5 DM-i plug-in hybrid, aimed at buyers who want to reduce emissions but aren’t ready to go fully electric.
Two grades will be offered: the Essential, with a 13 kWh battery providing around 70 km of EV-only range, and the Premium, with an 18.3 kWh pack offering over 100 km. Both combine electric drive with a petrol engine for a total range of roughly 1,000 km.
“It breaks down that last barrier to electrification,” Willmot said. “You don’t have to install a wall charger — you can just run it like a hybrid and still get very low fuel use.”
He expects fleets to be a key audience for the Sealion 5, describing it as an affordable way for businesses to begin electrifying their operations.
Fleet-focused Shark variant
Supporting those same customers will be a new cab-chassis version of the Shark 6 PHEV ute, which deletes the well-side tray to allow local fitment of flat decks or service bodies. BYD has supplied New Zealand body builders with a detailed guide to integrate charging ports and electrics safely.
“It’s about making life easy for body builders,” Willmot said. “We’ve built in flexibility from the start rather than asking fleets to modify a retail ute.”
While the cab-chassis will drop some of the consumer-oriented features, pricing will only shift slightly.
Safety confirmed
The Atto 1, developed from BYD’s Seagull platform, has achieved a five-star Euro NCAP result. Willmot says that rating will also support ANCAP testing for the Australasian market.
“Trying to make a small car safe is a mission,” he said. “But BYD has invested heavily to meet those tougher global standards, and from 2026 the bar gets even higher.”
What’s next
After the Atto 1, 2 and Sealion 5, BYD NZ will introduce the Sealion 8, followed by several more models in early 2026, including an entry-level version of the Shark 6 cab-chassis for trade buyers.
“BYD plans to have a car for every part of the market,” Willmot said. “If it makes sense for New Zealand — the right pricing and dealer margin — we’ll bring it.”
A growing market, not a race
New Zealand’s EV registrations have flattened since the removal of the Clean Car Discount, but BYD hopes its expanding range and lower price points will help keep momentum.
Rather than claiming dominance, Willmot says the company’s focus is on giving customers and dealers realistic options as electrification becomes standard.
“It’s not about replacing everything overnight,” he said. “It’s about making the step into electrification possible for more people.”
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