BYD launches new offers in dig at Labour as Chinese brand faces Electric Car Grant ban
Chinese manufacturing giant BYD has taken aim at Labour's Electric Car Grant with new incentives as the brand looks set to miss out on the Government's scheme.
BYD has announced a "proactive, customer-first" initiative to support the uptake of electric vehicles that is set to challenge the new Electric Car Grant.
The Shenzhen-based brand took aim at Labour and the "uncertainty surrounding eligibility" for the Electric Car Grant.
While it confirmed that it had applied for eligibility, the brand said its vehicles may not immediately be available for the grant, meaning drivers could miss out.
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BYD
BYD has launched the new incentives in response to delays around the eligibility of models for the Electric Car Grant
In response to the delay, BYD said it has increased its power battery warranty to eight years and 155,342 miles (200,000km).
This applies across its entire range of electric and DM-i vehicles, including those that are already on UK roads.
BYD is also launching five years of free servicing on models as the brand aims to deliver "genuine, long-term ownership benefits".
It will apply to the Dolphin Surf, Dolphin, Atto 3 and approved used BYD vehicles purchased through the official retail network.
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Steve Beattie, sales and marketing director at BYD UK, said customers were looking for more than savings upfront, noting that they want "value and assurance".
He added: "While we may not currently be part of the Electric Car Grant, we didn't want to wait to show our commitment.
"This five-year servicing offer is our way of giving back to drivers who choose BYD and supporting them well beyond the showroom.
"That includes the Approved Used market - which plays a vital role in accelerating EV adoption and strengthening the value of our vehicles over time."
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BYD
The BYD Atto 3
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that BYD has a market share of 1.91 per cent, with 22,574 vehicles sold so far this year.
This is a massive 514 per cent increase compared to the same time last year, when the brand sold just 3,672 models.
It has already overtaken several popular and established manufacturers, including Citroen, Honda, Mazda, Porsche and Suzuki.
Notably, BYD's sales are only slightly behind Tesla's registrations of 23,708. While Tesla has captured two per cent of the new car market, it has seen sales drop by around seven per cent compared to last year.
BYD
The BYD Dolphin
BYD's actions come as the Government looks set to reject popular vehicles made in China over sustainability and environmental concerns.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said it would be counterproductive for Chinese brands to be rewarded if production in factories is powered by coal and other fossil fuels.
It has not yet been confirmed whether Chinese brands will be given the green light to benefit from the Electric Car Grant, which has prompted other manufacturers from Asia to offer their own incentives.
Labour announced today that Citroen would be the first brand to benefit from the Electric Car Grant, with motorists able to save £1,500 on the Citroen e-C3, e-C3 Aircross, e-C4, e-C4 X, e-C5 Aircross and e-Berlingo.