Latest news with #RichardEdwards
NZ Autocar
4 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
BYD Seagull coming to NZ?
Ateco Automotive New Zealand has confirmed it is expanding its BYD dealer and service network across the country, while it's also considering more models, including the budget friendly Seagull. Speaking to Auto Media Group managing editor Richard Edwards at BYD headquarters in Shenzhen, China, BYD New Zealand country manager Warren Willmot says the brand is gearing up for steady, sustainable growth after what he calls a 'tough' 2024 for the EV segment. This also follows on from the signing of a long-term agreement to distribute the Chinese brand locally earlier this year. 'New Zealand is a very different market to Australia, and I can confirm that the recent change in distribution over there has no impact on us,' Willmot says. 'We have renewed our agreement with BYD and are focused on building a strong, stable presence.' EV and PHEV model expansion under review 'We're looking closely at expanding the range with vehicles that are fit for our market – right spec, right price, and profitable for our dealers,' he says. That could include the Seagull city EV, Atto 2 small EV SUV, two new Sealion SUVs in the form of a lower-priced five-seater and larger 7-seater models, and a number of models under the luxury Denza and Yangwang brands. While he wouldn't commit to specific launch dates, Willmot confirms these vehicles are under active review. Willmot acknowledges that after a sharp decline in EV sales in early 2024—dropping from 653 BYD registrations in December 2023 to just 28 in February 2024—the market has begun showing signs of recovery. 'We've already exceeded all of last year's sales within the first four months of 2025,' he says, attributing the turnaround to a more diverse product mix and renewed fleet interest. The recent launch of the Shark plug-in hybrid ute has also contributed to BYD's sales rebound, signalling a broader shift toward dual-powertrain vehicles in response to changing local incentives and consumer demand. Read more 2025 BYD Shark 6 Premium Review New dealerships and service centres planned for regional NZ Willmot says Ateco is currently filling service coverage gaps in regional areas and inviting expressions of interest for new dealerships, particularly in Southland, with Rotorua soon to be added to the sales and service network. The company now operates 15 showrooms and supports more than 25 authorised panel shops nationally. It has also appointed new service partners in Kerikeri and Gisborne and is seeking options on the West Coast. Willmot says fleet and government sales remain a core part of BYD's strategy, but its retail offering is expected to strengthen with new product additions. Parts supply and aftersales support a priority for BYD NZ He adds that parts availability has been a key priority, with a dedicated 5,000m² parts warehouse in Auckland and a willingness to 'pull parts from new cars' if needed to keep customers on the road. While some BYD customers across the Tasman have voiced frustration over service and parts delays, Willmot says New Zealand has avoided similar issues thanks to forward planning and local warehousing. 'We have visibility into the entire global parts network and can get most items here within three days,' he says.
Business Insider
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Goldman Sachs Sticks to Their Buy Rating for JD Sports Fashion (JD)
Goldman Sachs analyst Richard Edwards maintained a Buy rating on JD Sports Fashion (JD – Research Report) yesterday and set a price target of p150.00. The company's shares closed today at p82.58. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter According to TipRanks, Edwards is an analyst with an average return of -4.8% and a 46.57% success rate. Currently, the analyst consensus on JD Sports Fashion is a Moderate Buy with an average price target of p96.71.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Unusual spectacle draws crowds to community beaches: 'One day, there were none, and the next day there were 200'
Picture this: A beach with no seals suddenly becomes home to 200 of them overnight. That's exactly what happened at Orford Ness in Suffolk, England, where a thriving grey seal colony has emerged from nowhere, reported the Good News Network. The seal surge marks a stunning turnaround for Britain's east coast. At Horsey Beach in Norfolk, 1,200 seal pups were born by Christmas Day, with experts expecting that number to rise to 2,500 before the breeding season ends. "One day, there were none, and the next day there were 200. Since then, they've come back each year, and the juveniles have stayed," Matt Wilson, a National Trust countryside manager, told the Guardian. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The beaches have become what seal warden Richard Edwards called "Britain's wildlife safari," per the Guardian. Even in one of Earth's most densely populated regions, these coastal spots offer scenes worthy of nature documentaries: thousands of grey and white seals sprawled across miles of protected shoreline during winter breeding months. The community has stepped up to protect these new residents. Friends of Horsey Seals, a local volunteer group, built fenced areas where seals can retreat during storms, which can sweep young pups out to sea. Their efforts are working: more pups now survive than die each year. What's behind this remarkable return? Experts point to two key factors. Offshore wind farms create surfaces where shellfish thrive, strengthening the marine food chain. Plus, over the past decade, reduced pollution on non-tourist beaches has led to cleaner waters. The transformation goes beyond numbers. These beaches now draw visitors hoping to glimpse what Wilson and his team witness daily: a once-absent species reclaiming its home, bringing new life to Britain's shores. The story of Orford Ness shows how quickly nature can recover when given the chance. Where there were no seals just a few years ago, 600 pups were born in 2024 alone, a living reminder that positive change can happen faster than we think. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
