Australian testing to play critical role in global BYD model development
Testing of models such as the BYD Shark 6 ute – which was extensively evaluated in Australia ahead of its local release in January 2025 – is designed to ensure local suitability, but models not sold here such as the Yangwang U8 large SUV from BYD's luxury brand have also been spied testing on Australian roads.
Ford is the only automaker that still develops vehicles from the ground up in Australia, but several others including Kia and more recently GWM and Mitsubishi also conduct local chassis tuning in and for this market.
However, Australian input was critical for the plug-in hybrid Shark 6 dual-cab – a competitor for the top-selling, locally designed and engineered Ford Ranger sold around the world – just as it has been for other rivals including the upcoming Kia Tasman, which was repeatedly seen testing here ahead of its mid-year release.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Yet BYD Australia product lead Sajid Hasan told CarExpert the local arm's evaluation and engineering signoffs will be used to finetune suspension and other settings for the automaker's global products.
"It's important that we do local confirmation testing, rough-road durability, hot weather, climate, tow testing – all those kinds of things are being done to make sure that the products are suitable for Australian customers," Mr Hasan said.
"For models like that [Shark 6], particularly off-road focussed vehicles, we're in a fortunate position that in Australia, our roads represent 80 per cent of the world's variety of roads.
"So we are a very critical market for right-hand drive development, and the kind of tuning and testing that gets done here is used in other areas of the world."
The development of the Shark 6 included engineers from BYD's Chinese headquarters joining Australian testing teams, with a particular focus on suspension as part of a broader vehicle assessment program.
BYDs sold in Australia – including the upcoming Atto 2 small SUV and the brand's first seven-seat SUV, the Sealion 8 – will ride on locally tuned suspension instead of the 'soft' or more comfortable chassis tunes preferred by Chinese customers.
BYD says the feedback will influence right-hand drive models sold in countries like Japan, the UK and Cyprus – where BYD was launched on May 28 – as well as playing a role in left-hand drive vehicle development, too.
The popularity and variety of SUVs in Australia – where they accounted for more than half of all new vehicle sales in 2024 – makes local testing even more helpful for BYD HQ in China.
"It also gives us kind of an access, like a gateway, into the global development," Mr Hasan told CarExpert.
"For certain models, like large SUVs and off-road focused SUVs, we're a very important market because of our market size and demand for that type of vehicle."
MORE: Everything BYD
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Australia will play a vital role in the development of BYD models sold around the world, not just locally, says the Chinese automaker.
Testing of models such as the BYD Shark 6 ute – which was extensively evaluated in Australia ahead of its local release in January 2025 – is designed to ensure local suitability, but models not sold here such as the Yangwang U8 large SUV from BYD's luxury brand have also been spied testing on Australian roads.
Ford is the only automaker that still develops vehicles from the ground up in Australia, but several others including Kia and more recently GWM and Mitsubishi also conduct local chassis tuning in and for this market.
However, Australian input was critical for the plug-in hybrid Shark 6 dual-cab – a competitor for the top-selling, locally designed and engineered Ford Ranger sold around the world – just as it has been for other rivals including the upcoming Kia Tasman, which was repeatedly seen testing here ahead of its mid-year release.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Yet BYD Australia product lead Sajid Hasan told CarExpert the local arm's evaluation and engineering signoffs will be used to finetune suspension and other settings for the automaker's global products.
"It's important that we do local confirmation testing, rough-road durability, hot weather, climate, tow testing – all those kinds of things are being done to make sure that the products are suitable for Australian customers," Mr Hasan said.
"For models like that [Shark 6], particularly off-road focussed vehicles, we're in a fortunate position that in Australia, our roads represent 80 per cent of the world's variety of roads.
"So we are a very critical market for right-hand drive development, and the kind of tuning and testing that gets done here is used in other areas of the world."
The development of the Shark 6 included engineers from BYD's Chinese headquarters joining Australian testing teams, with a particular focus on suspension as part of a broader vehicle assessment program.
BYDs sold in Australia – including the upcoming Atto 2 small SUV and the brand's first seven-seat SUV, the Sealion 8 – will ride on locally tuned suspension instead of the 'soft' or more comfortable chassis tunes preferred by Chinese customers.
BYD says the feedback will influence right-hand drive models sold in countries like Japan, the UK and Cyprus – where BYD was launched on May 28 – as well as playing a role in left-hand drive vehicle development, too.
The popularity and variety of SUVs in Australia – where they accounted for more than half of all new vehicle sales in 2024 – makes local testing even more helpful for BYD HQ in China.
"It also gives us kind of an access, like a gateway, into the global development," Mr Hasan told CarExpert.
"For certain models, like large SUVs and off-road focused SUVs, we're a very important market because of our market size and demand for that type of vehicle."
MORE: Everything BYD
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Australia will play a vital role in the development of BYD models sold around the world, not just locally, says the Chinese automaker.
Testing of models such as the BYD Shark 6 ute – which was extensively evaluated in Australia ahead of its local release in January 2025 – is designed to ensure local suitability, but models not sold here such as the Yangwang U8 large SUV from BYD's luxury brand have also been spied testing on Australian roads.
Ford is the only automaker that still develops vehicles from the ground up in Australia, but several others including Kia and more recently GWM and Mitsubishi also conduct local chassis tuning in and for this market.
However, Australian input was critical for the plug-in hybrid Shark 6 dual-cab – a competitor for the top-selling, locally designed and engineered Ford Ranger sold around the world – just as it has been for other rivals including the upcoming Kia Tasman, which was repeatedly seen testing here ahead of its mid-year release.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Yet BYD Australia product lead Sajid Hasan told CarExpert the local arm's evaluation and engineering signoffs will be used to finetune suspension and other settings for the automaker's global products.
"It's important that we do local confirmation testing, rough-road durability, hot weather, climate, tow testing – all those kinds of things are being done to make sure that the products are suitable for Australian customers," Mr Hasan said.
"For models like that [Shark 6], particularly off-road focussed vehicles, we're in a fortunate position that in Australia, our roads represent 80 per cent of the world's variety of roads.
"So we are a very critical market for right-hand drive development, and the kind of tuning and testing that gets done here is used in other areas of the world."
The development of the Shark 6 included engineers from BYD's Chinese headquarters joining Australian testing teams, with a particular focus on suspension as part of a broader vehicle assessment program.
BYDs sold in Australia – including the upcoming Atto 2 small SUV and the brand's first seven-seat SUV, the Sealion 8 – will ride on locally tuned suspension instead of the 'soft' or more comfortable chassis tunes preferred by Chinese customers.
BYD says the feedback will influence right-hand drive models sold in countries like Japan, the UK and Cyprus – where BYD was launched on May 28 – as well as playing a role in left-hand drive vehicle development, too.
The popularity and variety of SUVs in Australia – where they accounted for more than half of all new vehicle sales in 2024 – makes local testing even more helpful for BYD HQ in China.
"It also gives us kind of an access, like a gateway, into the global development," Mr Hasan told CarExpert.
"For certain models, like large SUVs and off-road focused SUVs, we're a very important market because of our market size and demand for that type of vehicle."
MORE: Everything BYD
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Australia will play a vital role in the development of BYD models sold around the world, not just locally, says the Chinese automaker.
Testing of models such as the BYD Shark 6 ute – which was extensively evaluated in Australia ahead of its local release in January 2025 – is designed to ensure local suitability, but models not sold here such as the Yangwang U8 large SUV from BYD's luxury brand have also been spied testing on Australian roads.
Ford is the only automaker that still develops vehicles from the ground up in Australia, but several others including Kia and more recently GWM and Mitsubishi also conduct local chassis tuning in and for this market.
However, Australian input was critical for the plug-in hybrid Shark 6 dual-cab – a competitor for the top-selling, locally designed and engineered Ford Ranger sold around the world – just as it has been for other rivals including the upcoming Kia Tasman, which was repeatedly seen testing here ahead of its mid-year release.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Yet BYD Australia product lead Sajid Hasan told CarExpert the local arm's evaluation and engineering signoffs will be used to finetune suspension and other settings for the automaker's global products.
"It's important that we do local confirmation testing, rough-road durability, hot weather, climate, tow testing – all those kinds of things are being done to make sure that the products are suitable for Australian customers," Mr Hasan said.
"For models like that [Shark 6], particularly off-road focussed vehicles, we're in a fortunate position that in Australia, our roads represent 80 per cent of the world's variety of roads.
"So we are a very critical market for right-hand drive development, and the kind of tuning and testing that gets done here is used in other areas of the world."
The development of the Shark 6 included engineers from BYD's Chinese headquarters joining Australian testing teams, with a particular focus on suspension as part of a broader vehicle assessment program.
BYDs sold in Australia – including the upcoming Atto 2 small SUV and the brand's first seven-seat SUV, the Sealion 8 – will ride on locally tuned suspension instead of the 'soft' or more comfortable chassis tunes preferred by Chinese customers.
BYD says the feedback will influence right-hand drive models sold in countries like Japan, the UK and Cyprus – where BYD was launched on May 28 – as well as playing a role in left-hand drive vehicle development, too.
The popularity and variety of SUVs in Australia – where they accounted for more than half of all new vehicle sales in 2024 – makes local testing even more helpful for BYD HQ in China.
"It also gives us kind of an access, like a gateway, into the global development," Mr Hasan told CarExpert.
"For certain models, like large SUVs and off-road focused SUVs, we're a very important market because of our market size and demand for that type of vehicle."
MORE: Everything BYD
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
5 minutes ago
- Herald Sun
Trump signs order to extend China tariff truce by 90 days
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. US President Donald Trump on Monday ordered a delay in the reimposition of higher tariffs on Chinese goods, hours before a trade truce between Washington and Beijing was due to expire. The White House's halt on steeper tariffs will be in place until November 10. "I have just signed an Executive Order that will extend the Tariff Suspension on China for another 90 days," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. The truce on steeper levies had been due to expire Tuesday. While the United States and China slapped escalating tariffs on each other's products this year, bringing them to prohibitive triple-digit levels and snarling trade, both countries in May agreed to temporarily lower them. As part of their May truce, fresh US tariffs targeting China were reduced to 30 percent and the corresponding level from China was cut to 10 percent. Those rates will now hold until November -- or whenever a deal is cut before then. Around the same time that Trump confirmed the new extension, Chinese state media Xinhua news agency published a joint statement from US-China talks in Stockholm saying it would also extend its side of the truce. China will continue suspending its earlier tariff hike for 90 days starting August 12 while retaining a 10-percent duty, the report said. It would also "take or maintain necessary measures to suspend or remove non-tariff countermeasures against the United States, as agreed in the Geneva joint declaration," Xinhua reported. In the executive order posted Monday to its website, the White House reiterated its position that there are "large and persistent annual US goods trade deficits" and they "constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and economy of the United States." The order acknowledged Washington's ongoing discussions with Beijing "to address the lack of trade reciprocity in our economic relationship" and noted that China has continued to "take significant steps toward remedying" the US complaints. - Trump-Xi summit? - "Beijing will be happy to keep the US-China negotiation going, but it is unlikely to make concessions," warned William Yang, an analyst at the International Crisis Group. He believes China sees its leverage over rare earth exports as a strong one, and that Beijing will likely use it to pressure Washington. US-China Business Council president Sean Stein said the current extension is "critical to give the two governments time to negotiate an agreement" providing much-needed certainty for companies to make plans. A trade deal, in turn, would "pave the way for a Trump-Xi summit this fall," said Asia Society Policy Institute senior vice president Wendy Cutler. But Cutler, herself a former US trade official, said: "This will be far from a walk in the park." Since Trump took office, China's tariffs have essentially boomeranged, from the initially modest 10 percent hike in February, followed by repeated surges as Beijing and Washington clashed, until it hit a high of 145 percent in April. Now the tariff has been pulled back to 30 percent, a negotiated truce rate. Even as both countries reached a pact to cool tensions after high level talks in Geneva in May, the de-escalation has been shaky. Key economic officials convened in London in June as disagreements emerged and US officials accused their counterparts of violating the pact. Policymakers met again in Stockholm last month. Trump said in a social media post Sunday that he hoped China will "quickly quadruple its soybean orders," adding this would be a way to balance trade with the United States. China's exports reached record highs in 2024, and Beijing reported that their exports exceeded expectations in June, climbing 5.8 percent year-on-year, as the economic superpower works to sustain growth amid Trump's trade war. Separately, since returning to the presidency in January, Trump has slapped a 10-percent "reciprocal" tariff on almost all trading partners, aimed at addressing trade practices Washington deemed unfair. This surged to varying steeper levels last Thursday for dozens of economies. Major partners like the European Union, Japan and South Korea now see a 15-percent US duty on many products, while the level went as high as 41 percent for Syria. The "reciprocal" tariffs exclude sectors that have been targeted individually, such as steel and aluminum, and those that are being investigated like pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. They are also expected to exclude gold, although a clarification by US customs authorities made public last week caused concern that certain gold bars might still be targeted. Trump said Monday that gold imports will not face additional tariffs, without providing further details. The president has taken separate aim at individual countries such as Brazil over the trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of planning a coup, and India over its purchase of Russian oil. Canada and Mexico come under a different tariff regime. bur-bys/sla/bjt Originally published as Trump signs order to extend China tariff truce by 90 days
Perth Now
5 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Japanese stocks hit new high on US-China tariff truce
Most Asian stocks have edged higher, buoyed by an extension of a tariff truce between the world's two largest economies, while Japanese shares hit an all-time peak, powered by tech shares after returning from a long weekend break. US President Donald Trump extended a tariff truce with China by another 90 days on Monday, staving off triple-digit duties on Chinese goods, a move that was largely expected by investors and markets. Investor sentiment in recent weeks has been supported by expectations of rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve, resilient US corporate earnings as well as clarity on US trade levies on trading partners. Japan's Nikkei climbed to a record high and was last up two per cent as the country's markets reopened after a public holiday on Monday, tracking other global indices this year. Australia's benchmark index also hit a record high, ahead of a monetary policy meeting at which the central bank is widely expected to cut interest rates. That left MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan a tad higher. China's blue-chip stocks were flat while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index eased 0.1 per cent in early trading. Markets have held modest ranges in recent weeks, waiting to see whether the world's two largest economies can agree on a durable trade deal or if global supply chains will again be upended by the return of steep import levies. The US-China tariff truce extension "preserves the status quo for now, so no immediate implications for investment markets," said Shane Oliver, chief economist and head of investment strategy at AMP in Sydney. The US and China have engaged in a tit-for-tat tariff duel throughout the year, culminating in trade talks in Geneva, London and Stockholm since May that focused on bringing retaliatory tariffs down from triple-digit levels. The latest truce extension clears the way for investors to focus on an action-packed week dominated by US inflation data, a central bank policy decision in Australia and the first summit between US and Russian leaders since June 2021. Traders are pricing in a 25 basis points rate cut later on Tuesday from the RBA with another cut expected by November. Investor attention will be on comments and forecasts from the central bank. "The uncertainties are around its guidance, in particular whether it still sees further scope to cut rates and whether it will remain gradual and measured," Oliver said. Globally, the spotlight will be on the release of US consumer price inflation data later on Tuesday. Economists polled by Reuters have forecast that month-on-month core CPI edged up 0.3 per cent in July, faster than the 0.2 per cent in the previous month. "CPI will be a key test for market tone. Softer data could give small-caps a lift, but for now, mega-caps remain firmly in control," said Marc Velan, head of investments at Lucerne Investment Management. An upside surprise on inflation may also add caution to market expectations of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year. Investors are currently pricing in at least two rate cuts from the Fed in 2025 while J.P. Morgan expects the Fed to deliver four successive rate cuts starting in September. In commodities, gold prices were last at $US3,354, having dropped nearly 1.6 per cent on Monday after Trump said tariffs will not be placed on imported gold bars. Oil prices were steady ahead of the August 15 meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, aimed at negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine. The talks follow increased US pressure on Russia, raising the prospect of penalties on Moscow if a peace deal is not reached. "The market is not pricing in significant outcomes from the meeting, but any shift in geopolitical tone could have marginal impact, particularly for commodities and certain emerging market assets," Lucerne's Velan said. Currencies were mostly calm in early trading, with the dollar steady against major peers the euro and the yen. Cryptocurrencies bitcoin and ether were a tad lower after rallying in the previous session.
Herald Sun
22 minutes ago
- Herald Sun
NBN results: Losses dip, government spends $1.19bn to upgrade Australia's internet network
Taxpayer-funded NBN Co has trimmed its losses to just under $1bn after the Albanese government pumped in an extra $1.19bn to upgrade its network as competition heats up. Chief executive Ellie Sweeney says NBN Co's strategy of upgrading its network to full fibre is 'delivering for customers, businesses and the nation'. She said the number of homes and businesses connected via fibre to the premises surged 23 per cent to 2.665 million, making it the dominant fixed-line technology on its network. 'We are on track to complete the initial five-year fibre-connect program on time by December 2025, and on budget. Almost 9.8 million premises can now order our highest-speed residential products, and by the end of December this year that will grow to more than 10 million premises, or 90 per cent of our fixed-line network,' Ms Sweeney said. NBN Co trimmed its losses by 10 per cent to $963m over the year to June 30. Overall revenue firmed 4 per cent to $5.7bn, while underlying earnings jumped 8 per cent to $4.2bn. It cut its debt ratio from 9.9 to 9.3 times EBITDA, despite total debt increasing from $26.89bn to $27.16bn. Taxpayers buoyed the result, with the commonwealth providing NBN Co $1.19bn in equity funding, a 54 per cent increase on 2024. Ms Sweeney said Australians were continuing to embrace 'faster speeds and full-fibre connections', upgrading from 'copper-based technologies in record numbers'. 'With seven out of 10 Australian homes and businesses connected to the NBN network, our focus is on lifting customer experience, delivering a resilient network that supports digitisation and AI (artificial intelligence) workloads, while ensuring the benefits of connectivity are delivered across our communities, homes and businesses, now and into the future,' she said. 'We take great pride in delivering a reliable, high-speed and high-capacity network to Australians, and it is our investment in the network that is enabling us to 'accelerate great', as we say, which will lift our 100Mbps wholesale speed tier to offer wholesale download speeds of 500Mbps in September. 'These investments are also enabling the launch of our first multi-gigabit wholesale residential products, via participating retailers, to eligible customers connected to the NBN network. Looking to the future, it is NBN's aim that our 500Mbps wholesale speed tier becomes Australia's most popular NBN plan. And thanks to our investments in the latest technologies and network upgrades, we expect to lift average fixed broadband speeds across the nation.' From mid-next year, it will offer low earth orbit satellite broadband services via Amazon's Project Kuiper, replacing its much-maligned geostationary offering, Sky Muster. Project Kuiper will offer speeds of about 400Mbps. This compares with Starlink offering speeds of up to 220Mbps, still 10 times faster than Sky Muster. But NBN Co's upgrades has attracted criticism, with commercial rival, Vodafone owner TPG Telecom, accusing it of overbuilding its network in Canberra. NBN's Canberra upgrades are costing almost $6600 per premises, mainly due to challenges such as backyard power poles and rocky terrain. About 97,000 businesses and homes in the ACT are included in the upgrade, lifting its total cost to more than $640m. TPG argued such works were unnecessary given commercial wholesaler Vision Network – which TPG sold to Macquarie-backed Vocus for $5.25bn – was already available in Canberra and can provide up to 1Gbps connection speeds. 'Fundamentally, that $6600 needs to be recouped. It's an investment that any business would need to recoup over time, and the way they're going to recoup that is with high pricing. 'Vision would have already spent that cost, and then able to punt that back to their independent retailers, and in turn get great pricing for customers already,' TPG general manager of fixed-line product Andrew O'Connor said. NBN Co defended the Canberra upgrades, saying it was 'supporting competition' and delivering faster internet speeds. NBN's total revenue growth was driven by a 6 per cent increase in telecommunications revenue, with residential average revenue per user up $3 to $50 per month. Ms Sweeney said the higher residential ARPU was attributed to growing customer demand for higher-speed products and the application of regulated wholesale price changes, in accordance with the Special Access Undertaking Variation that was accepted by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission. 'The NBN network is delivering and Australians are responding. It is our responsibility and privilege to deliver the digital infrastructure today that will be critical to the way Australians work, learn, connect and grow in the future,' she said. 'Our goal is to turn investment into impact, innovation into inclusion, and infrastructure into opportunity for the economy, communities and families in every home and business across Australia.' Originally published as NBN cuts losses as Albanese government forks out $1.19bn for internet network upgrade
