BYD Expands EV Presence in South Africa With New Models and Strategy

BYD is scaling its operations across Africa, utilizing South Africa as a primary hub for infrastructure development and brand establishment. The company is intentionally avoiding price wars in South Africa, the continent’s richest market, to prioritize long-term brand building as competition in the electric vehicle (EV) sector increases, according to reports from Business Insider Africa, and TimesLIVE.

The Chinese automaker is implementing a strategy that anchors its African presence in South Africa, using the market as a springboard for regional growth. This approach involves building comprehensive charging infrastructure, expanding dealer networks, and establishing partnerships to facilitate the adoption of new energy vehicles (NEVs).

Infrastructure and Network Expansion

During a media briefing in Johannesburg in October 2025, BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li announced plans to install between 200 and 300 public charging stations across South Africa in 2026. This investment is intended to make electric mobility more accessible to drivers nationwide.

BYD is also planning the rollout of ultra-fast 1MW charging technology infrastructure. This technology is designed to support a new generation of rapid charging once compatible vehicle models are available in the market.

To support these infrastructure goals, BYD is expanding its retail presence. According to Reuters, the company aims to reach an initial target of approximately 35 dealerships in South Africa by the first quarter of 2026.

Nomonde Kweyi, Marketing Director for BYD South Africa in the MEA Region, stated that the company’s presence in the country is intended to be more than an automotive brand and that BYD is acting as a technology company delivering comprehensive new energy solutions for this market.

Product Portfolio and Market Entry

BYD formally entered the South African passenger-car market in mid-2023 with the launch of the Atto 3. Since then, the company has expanded its offerings to include the Atto 8 plug-in hybrid and the Dolphin Surf.

The company’s broader NEV ecosystem encompasses battery technology, renewable energy generation, and storage solutions, moving beyond the sale of electric cars alone.

Pan-African Growth Strategy

BYD currently operates in 17 African countries. The company’s expansion has followed a phased timeline across the continent:

• Kenya: Entry in 2022.
• Rwanda: Entry in early 2024.
• Zambia: Entry by the third quarter of 2024.
• Benin and Gabon: Launched the Seagull hatchback and Yuan Plus SUV via distributor CFAO Group.
• Tanzania: Opening of a brand centre as part of the regional expansion.

The company’s African strategy involves entering through South Africa, establishing infrastructure, and expanding through partnerships. This roadmap includes the possibility of local manufacturing if consumer demand grows sufficiently.

Corporate Evolution and Historical Context

BYD’s involvement in Africa began in 2004 with the introduction of commercial electric buses and clean-energy products. South Africa became a focal point for these early efforts, specifically highlighted by an electric-bus showcase at the Johannesburg International Motor Show in 2012.

The company shifted its global manufacturing focus in March 2022, when it stopped producing traditional combustion-engine vehicles to focus exclusively on battery-electric models and plug-in hybrids.

This strategic shift coincided with rapid global growth. In 2024, BYD sold 4.3 million cars, representing a 40% increase over the previous year.