Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD is expanding its presence in Southeast Asia through strategic partnerships with regional companies in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
In Malaysia and Singapore, BYD cars are distributed by Sime Darby Motors, the automotive arm of Malaysian trading and logistics giant Sime Darby. The partnership began in 2019 with the distribution of BYD EVs in Singapore, where Sime Darby Motors currently operates a network of seven outlets. In 2022, Sime Darby Motors took on the distributorship for Malaysia, expanding its reach with nine dealerships nationwide and another 12 in the pipeline.
Thailand, BYD’s largest overseas market, has Rever Automotive as its distribution and after-sales partner. Rever Automotive, backed by the family that controls local conglomerate Siam Motors Group, is investing more than $83.89 million to boost BYD’s presence in Thailand. The company currently operates 62 dealer locations across the country.
AC Motors, part of the Filipino conglomerate Ayala Corp, has announced a distribution partnership with BYD in the Philippines. AC Motors plans to establish 12 BYD dealerships across the country in the next year, leveraging reduced tariffs to build an EV market in the Philippines.
In Indonesia, BYD’s partner is Bakrie & Brothers, a conglomerate focused on manufacturing and infrastructure. Through its unit VKTR, Bakrie & Brothers has been distributing BYD’s EV buses since 2018. The partnership has delivered 52 EV buses to the local government of Jakarta, and VKTR is currently exploring commercial orders with multiple Indonesian firms.
These partnerships demonstrate BYD’s commitment to expanding its market presence in Southeast Asia, tapping into the growing demand for electric vehicles in the region.
Sources: Sime Darby Motors, Rever Automotive, AC Motors, Bakrie & Brothers