The world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD, has announced the appointment of Motor Distributors Limited (MDL ) as its National Dealer+ Partner for the Republic of Ireland.
MDL is a leading Irish motor vehicles distributor that distributes Mercedes-Benz, and previously distributed Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Mazda.
Standing for ‘Build Your Dreams’, BYD is a manufacturer of new energy vehicles. Describing itself as "a global innovator of pioneering battery technology, and creator of some of the world’s most technologically advanced electric vehicles", BYD has held top place in China for sales of new energy passenger vehicles for 10 successive years.
Putting its global position in perspective, BYD is outpacing Tesla in sales, selling 1.62 million cars between January and November 2022 compared to Tesla's 1.37 for all of 2022.
Under its new strategic partnership, MDL will distribute BYD’s innovative eco-friendly range of electric cars and light commercial vehicles ahead of the arrival into Ireland of its passenger cars this year.
The announcement of MDL’s appointment was made at a formal contract signing event at BYD global headquarters in Shenzhen, China, in the presence of MDL chief executive, Paddy Finnegan.
Impressed by what he termed "the many aspects of vehicle design, production and operation on which BYD places importance, not least those intended to reduce global warming and eliminate the use in production of vital minerals", Finnegan said MDL was “proud to partner with BYD as their business partner in the Republic of Ireland".
The announcement is one that will lead to the creation of an estimated 150 additional jobs.
“We look forward to introducing BYD vehicles to Irish motorists and to establishing BYD as a major player in the Irish market,” Finnegan said.
Model Plans
The BYD Atto 3 C-Segment SUV will be the first model to arrive. The company says it is "well-suited" to Ireland’s varied driving conditions, the versatile and expressive BYD Atto 3 comes with high levels of standard equipment and combines modern aesthetics with exceptional safety (Atto 3 has been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating ), intelligence and efficiency.
Central to its appeal will be BYD’s next generation e-Platform 3.0 and the highly-acclaimed ultra-safe Blade Battery power unit. Some key statistics are: 0-100km/h in 7.3 seconds/a promised 420km range (WLTP combined )/15.6kWh/100km energy consumption (WLTP combined ).
In addition, MDL will "establish a dealer network in Ireland", the purpose will be to provide "localised sales and aftersales services" to BYD customers across the country.
Asked about the significance the appointment will have for MDL, its chief executive Paddy Finnegan further stated: "While complementing the long-standing distribution interests we currently have, this new opportunity to represent BYD and introduce their vehicles to Irish motorists is one of great importance to MDL by enabling us to re-establish a strong presence in the volume-selling segment of the Irish market."
One stand-out example is the emphasis BYD is now placing on the production of EV vehicles and on new power source technology, the example being the Blade Battery power unit which Finnegan said was being produced "without the use of cobalt".
“The partnership now established between BYD and MDL is one that promises a rewarding and value-laden future for all concerned," he said, "including those dealers we will appoint to market the vehicles, and the many future BYD owners whose motoring dreams we have yet to build."
