- BYD NZ has confirmed that BYD versions of the luxury Denza SUVs are on their way here.
- The Denza B5 and B8 SUVs share their underpinnings with the popular BYD Shark 6 ute.
- BYD also confirmed that the all-electric E-Vali large van is set for a local debut this year as well.
In a somewhat confusing arrangement, BYD's more luxurious Denza offerings here are distributed by BYD's Australian factory operation, while BYD itself is distributed by local automotive icon Neville Crichton's Ateco Automotive.
The Chinese electric vehicle giant has taken direct control of its Australian distribution, marking a major shift in how the brand operates in the region — but the move does not extend to New Zealand, where the company continues to rely on an Ateco as an independent importer.
BYD says the differing approaches reflect the scale of the two markets. Australia has rapidly become one of BYD’s largest export destinations, prompting the company to take greater direct control of its operations, while New Zealand’s smaller market size means the established importer model remains in place for now.
But this didn't extend to the Denza brand, so that means that the BYD Shark-based Fangchengbao offerings, marketed as Denzas here, will remain out of BYD NZ's hands, right?
Not so fast, because that isn't quite how things are likely to play out as, according to BYD NZ General Manager, Warren Willmot, we will be seeing Fangchengbaos here badged as BYDs.
The move comes amid a product offensive for BYD NZ, starting with the recent launch of the Atto 1 and Atto 2 small EVs, the Sealion 5 mid-size PHEV SUV and Sealion 8 large seven-seat PHEV SUV, as well as the cab chassis version of the Shark 6 ute.
This is being followed in short order by the imminent arrival of the Seal 6 Touring PHEV wagon, the addition of the more powerful 2.0-litre variant of the Shark - likely called the Shark 7 - that will also come with a cab chassis option.
Later in the year we will be seeing a PHEV version of the small Atto 2 SUV, called the Atto 2 DM-i, along with BYD's E-Vali electric van.
Designed specifically for European markets, the E-Vali is offered in two lengths - 6m and 7m - with the shorter model packing a load capacity of 700kg and 13.9 m3, while the larger model offers a 1450kg payload and 17.9 m3 of cargo space.
It is available with an 80kWh battery and a choice of RWD or AWD, with the RWD model packing a single 150kW motor and the AWD adding an extra motor for a combined output of 250kW. The E-Vali also supports up to 188kW of DC fast charging, allowing it to replenish from 10 to 80 percent 30 minutes.
Along with updates for the Atto 3, Sealion 7 and Seal, the arrival of the BYD versions of the Denza B5 and Denza B8 (Fangchengbao Bao 5 and Bao 8) is set for later this year, and will essentially mean we get a pair of Shark SUVs, as the B5 and B8 utilise the same DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) underpinnings as the ute, with the B5 using the Shark 6's 1.5-litre version, while the larger B8 uses the upcoming Shark 7's 2.0-litre powertrain.
Will they be badged as Sharks? Probably not, as the current Shark naming structure will be getting crowded very shortly, with the Shark 6 being joined by the more powerful Shark 7, and potential smaller Shark 5 and larger Shark 8 utes on the way in the next few years.
BYD could potentially shake things up by going with Shark 06 and 07 for the respective SUV versions, but the result will be essentially that anyway, with the BYD versions positioned below the Denza versions in an arrangement similar to the relationship between Toyota and Lexus models like the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and Lexus LX 500d, according to Willmot.
As such, we wouldn't expect much in the way of sheet metal changes either, so while a Shark nose on an SUV would look awesome, we probably won't see that. Shame.
