Mirroring the dominance of BYD in the EV market globally, the brand has also been dominant in the young EV segment in Malaysia with all three of its models among the bestsellers.
Beginning in December 2022, with the first batch of ATTO 3 EVs delivered, it took just 100 days for local distributor Sime Darby Motors to reach 1,000 units. Recently, the milestone of 10,000 units was passed as the popularity of the BYD models – the ATTO 3, Seal and Dolphin – continues.
To celebrate the achievement, Sime Darby Motors organised a drive event for BYD owners to Melaka. The state was chosen to coincide with this year’s 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, making it an apt destination given its historical connections with China dating back to the 15th century.
The convoy, made up of over 60 EVs of the different models, was flagged off from the BYD showroom at Sime Darby Motors City in Ara Damansara, Selangor. In Melaka, the participants enjoyed a cultural highlight with a visit to Encore Melaka, where they attended a mesmerising performance of the Puteri Hang Li Po Musical Theatre.
“The milestone reflects the growing adoption of electric vehicles in the region and Sime Darby’s strong position as a leader in EVs. Our commitment to providing the best experience and services through this strategic partnership with BYD has contributed to this success,” said Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Southeast Asia, Sime Darby Motors.
Sime Darby Motors highlights the importance of its expanding BYD network in Malaysia, which now has 26 outlets nationwide (comprising 16 3S centres and 10 with just a showroom) managed by 19 dealer partners. BYD aims to expand the network to have a total of 30 outlets by the end of 2024.
“The milestone reflects the trust and support of our customers who embrace the future of mobility with BYD. It’s been an incredible journey with Sime Darby Motors and we look forward to elevating sustainable driving experiences in Malaysia,” said Eagle Zhao, Managing Director of BYD Malaysia, adding that the company is aiming for a shorter time-frame to the next 10,000 EVs sold.