BYD’s Rapid Growth in Australia
BYD is rapidly increasing its presence in the Australian market, starting from the debut of the Atto 3 model just a few years ago. Since then, the brand has expanded its lineup by adding models such as the Shark 6 and plans new launches this year.
Violation of Vehicle Storage Regulations
However, recent events indicate that such developments may be crossing legal boundaries. It is reported that BYD was illegally storing vehicles on the water park’s premises in New South Wales.
Scale of Illegal Storage
Over 1600 BYD vehicles, including Shark 6, Sealion 6, Sealion 7, and Seal models, were placed in the parking lots of Jamberoo Action Park, located approximately an hour and a half drive from Sydney. Although the water park is closed for the winter season and plans to reopen as summer approaches, its parking lots are already filled with vehicles.
While storing excess vehicle inventory by manufacturers or dealers is common practice, the scale of BYD’s operation raises concerns. Even more problematic is that the company did not obtain approval from the local council before starting to transport vehicles from the Port Kembla to the water park.
Local Authority Response
The Kiama Council is aware of the growing number of BYD vehicles on the water park’s territory over the past two to three months. Although the property is private, using the parking lot for purposes unrelated to the recreational facility is prohibited. In September, the owners applied to convert the parking lot into a storage site, but the council is still considering this proposal and has already issued a notice to cease the unauthorized land use.
The Council is working with the owners of Jamberoo Action Park to ensure the site is used for permitted purposes only.
Consequences for BYD
BYD stated that its storage operations in New South Wales are carried out by a logistics partner but did not disclose its name. This incident could damage the manufacturer’s reputation, especially amid growing competition from other Chinese brands such as GWM, which has already surpassed BYD in local sales this year.
This situation highlights the complexity of supply chain management for rapidly expanding automakers. Illegal vehicle storage not only raises legal compliance questions but could also affect consumer trust, particularly when a brand is trying to strengthen its position in a new market. The local authorities, for their part, demonstrate determination in ensuring land use regulations are followed, which could serve as an example for other companies seeking to rapidly scale their operations.