BYD confirms “tsunami of new models” for Australia led by expansion of BYD Shark 6 line-up
BYD Australia has announced it is launching “seven or eight” new models in Australia in 2026 as it continues its drive to become a top three sales player.
Four of them have already launched, the Atto 1 mini-car and Atto 2 compact SUV and more recently, the Sealion 5 and Sealion 8 plug-in hybrid medium and large SUVs.
The Sealion 8 is the first seven-seat SUV to be launched by BYD in Australia and is expected to become one of the brand’s top three sellers alongside the Shark 6 PHEV ute and Sealion 7 electric medium SUV.
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While BYD was unwilling to name the other new models that will appear between April and December 2026, it did clarify ‘new’ constituted a significant update to a current model as well as all-new additions.
“It’s not rocket science,” declared BYD Australia COO Stephen Collins at last week’s Sealion 5 and 8 media launch.
“We want to build our brand, we’re going to keep this tsunami of new models coming.”
“I can assure you that over the next six to eight months, we’ll be filling opportunities in the line-up and also providing upgrades on a number of our existing models.
“So, for us, it’s about filling out the range and offering new energy vehicles to every Australian.”
BYD’s new model launch list does not include facelifts that are expected for the electric Dolphin small car and Atto 3 compact SUV in 2026.
On that basis you can lock in the BYD Shark 6 cab chassis as well as the Shark 6 with a larger 2.0-litre DMO system, 3500kg braked towing and improved 4×4 system as new models that will launch in 2026, and likely before mid-winter.
Other candidates are the Seal 06 sedan and wagon that have been spotted testing in Australia and the BYD Ti7 4×4 PHEV SUV that is also understood to be testing here.
Apart from adding more models to boost interest, Collins also confirmed an expansion of the dealer network by 50 to 150 by mid-2026, more focus on fleet sales and a big focus on customer retention by reducing service wait time.
Collins wouldn’t put a specific outcome on how much sales growth BYD would achieve in 2026, but has previously targeted a top three position.
“We’re heading in that direction,” he said.
“One hundred per cent we expect growth. But it’s just too early and too much can change to call what that might look like.
“You know, our aspiration, and we’re not hiding it, is to be a leading brand.
“The first thing is to drop into the top five and secure yourself there, and then what happens from there, who knows.
“But, you know, we’re ambitious and I think we’ve shown that that trajectory, we can continue.”
Collins preferred to focus on a new mindset at the brand, which has vaulted from 16th in 2024 to eighth in 2025 and was sixth best seller in the market in January 2026.
“In principle, we’re planning to change our mindset from a challenger brand to more of a leadership way of thinking and of doing business,” he said.
“So, whether that be a leader in technology, performance, value, customer satisfaction, whatever it may be, that’s going to be the mindset that we’re entering 2026.
“So, our mission is really, really simple … And it’s really to bring to all Australians the best tech, the best affordability that we can, the best performance and the best safety.”
