The BYD Seal, a fully-electric sedan, is rapidly shaking up Australia’s medium passenger car market, giving the long-reigning Toyota Camry a serious challenge. In July, the BYD Seal secured the second spot in new passenger vehicle sales, coming in just behind the Camry.
According to VFACTS data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), the BYD Seal, which only launched in December last year, sold 570 units in July. This gives it a significant 25% share of the medium passenger car market under $60,000. The Camry, still on top, sold 1,498 units, holding a 65% share.
The Seal’s strong performance has taken a bite out of the sales of more established models like the Mazda 6, Honda Accord, and Skoda Octavia. The Accord, despite a recent update, managed just 13 sales in July, while the Octavia and Mazda 6 posted 66 and 101 sales, respectively. Year-to-date figures show a similar trend, with the Camry and BYD Seal commanding 90% of the segment.
BYD, through its local distributor EV Direct, aims to become a top-five car brand in Australia by 2025, with a target of selling 70,000 cars annually. As of July, BYD has already sold 25,885 vehicles in Australia, highlighting its rapid growth in the market.
One of the Seal’s key advantages is its competitive pricing, starting at $50,500 drive-away. This undercuts traditional rivals like the Honda Accord eRS, priced at $64,900, and the Mazda 6, which starts at $37,990. The lack of electrification options in these models further boosts the Seal’s appeal, particularly as hybrid versions of the Camry remain backlogged.
The BYD Seal’s strong sales performance marks a significant shift in the Australian medium passenger car market. While the Toyota Camry still leads, the Seal’s rapid ascent suggests that it could soon become a major contender in this space. Now we just need to wait and see how Australia’s extreme environment treats this offering from BYD.
