• BYD to reach 35 South African dealerships by early 2026, accelerating plan

• EV market share rises to 2.4%, driven by hybrids and consumer demand

• BYD to install 300 fast chargers, boost sales with Sealion 5 and Dolphin Surf
  

Chinese automaker BYD is accelerating its strategy in South Africa and expects to expand its dealer network from 2026, supported by rising consumer interest in electric and hybrid vehicles.

According to the company’s South African unit, BYD expects to operate about 35 dealerships by the first quarter of 2026, much earlier than initially planned. It then plans to reach between 60 and 70 dealerships by the end of that year, a pace that is significantly ahead of its original schedule.

The expansion comes as the market grows. New vehicle registrations in the first quarter of 2025 rose 10.5 percent year on year to 144,426 units. In the same period, New Energy Vehicles, which include hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric models, totaled 3,487 registrations. This represented 2.4 percent of the market compared with 1.4 percent in 2023.

Market forecasts support this trend. Estimated at nearly 1.1 billion dollars in 2024, South Africa’s electric vehicle market could exceed 7 billion dollars by 2030, with projected annual growth of more than 36 percent.

The gradual shift toward electric mobility, supported by the arrival of more affordable models, the development of charging infrastructure and positive policy signals, is creating opportunities for brands seeking to strengthen their presence. Chinese manufacturers, including BYD, see this shift as a strategic opportunity to gain market share from established competitors such as Toyota, Volvo, Chery, Great Wall Motor and German premium brands active in the electric segment.

Presenting the Sealion 5, its new plug-in hybrid SUV, BYD’s South African management said the strong market momentum had encouraged it to revise its targets. "We are moving faster than expected. The market is responding well and we have brought forward our target of 35 dealerships to the first quarter," said Steve Chang, managing director of BYD Auto South Africa.

The Dolphin Surf electric hatchback remains the brand’s best-selling model in the country. It is followed by the Shark pickup, which targets more utility-focused customers.

To support its growth, BYD also plans to install nearly 300 fast-charging stations by the end of 2026. The company describes this investment as essential to tackling a major barrier to electric vehicle adoption.

The Sealion 5, now on sale starting at 499,900 rand, which is about 29,445 dollars, is positioned to compete with the most popular hybrid models in the market, including Toyota’s Corolla Cross.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

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05/12/2025- South Africa: BYD Targets 35 Dealerships by End-March 2026