The CEO of BYD’s native distributor isn’t maintaining quiet about his firm’s huge plans for the brand new Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid SUV.
Talking with media this week, EVDirect CEO Luke Todd stated that whereas the brand new Sealion 6 enters uncharted waters for the Chinese language model in Australia, he believes BYD’s new SUV is greater than a match for the market leaders.
“That is successfully a brand new enterprise arm for us,” Mr Todd stated.
“We’re now competing in opposition to Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander – among the biggest-selling automobiles in Australia, and we’ve bought stronger, newer expertise automobiles that not solely rise up [to rivals] however can really outperform them.
“I do know that’s an enormous declare, however check drive one.”
![Why BYD distributor thinks its new PHEV is better than RAV4, Outlander](https://images.carexpert.com.au/crop/372/248/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-BYD-SEALION-6-SEALION-6-interior.jpg)
Mr Todd wouldn’t be drawn to cite precise gross sales determine forecasts, however the boss of BYD’s native distributor companion stated this Sealion 6 has plenty of potential because it’s the model’s first correct entry into Australia’s hottest automobile section.
“It’s the primary family-sized SUV that we’ve been capable of carry to the market,” Mr Todd continued.
“I don’t wish to put a quantity on it, however early curiosity is admittedly sturdy and the truth is there’s near a nine-month wait [for an equivalent vehicle] from one other model. I’m assured plenty of these individuals [waiting] will wish to come and check drive, and check out the [Sealion 6].
“What was introduced as we speak [about the dedicated production line for Sealion 6] is as a result of we’re so assured within the quantity of this product, and the truth we are able to have this product deliverable in market inside six weeks,” Mr Todd added.
“If you’re taking a look at a model everyone knows that’s bought a protracted wait listing, a automobile like [the Sealion 6] that has higher expertise, newer, and we are able to really ship it,” showing to take one more swipe at Toyota’s top-selling SUV.
![Why BYD distributor thinks its new PHEV is better than RAV4, Outlander](https://images.carexpert.com.au/crop/800/533/app/uploads/2024/05/BYD-SEALION-6-MARKETING-IMAGERY-7.jpg)
The 2024 BYD Sealion 6 is now on sale in Australia, priced from $48,990 earlier than on-road prices.
Recognized beforehand because the Seal U, the Sealion 6 arrives as a PHEV-only mid-sizer to compete with the likes of the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV and MG HS +EV.
A pure electrical model is bought in abroad markets like China and Europe, and is known to be on the wishlist for Australia. Nevertheless, at this stage there’s no official affirmation of if or when it’ll come right here.
Two plug-in hybrid drivetrains can be found, with each front- and all-wheel drive choices. Each fashions are able to over 80km of all-electric vary and the Sealion 6 AWD is able to doing the 0-100km/h dash in simply 5.9 seconds.
![Why BYD distributor thinks its new PHEV is better than RAV4, Outlander](https://images.carexpert.com.au/crop/800/533/app/uploads/2024/05/2024-BYD-SEALION-6-BYD-Media-Drive-Day-50.jpg)
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