GWM has joined MG in highlighting the achievements of fellow Chinese marque BYD, yet it stresses ongoing dedication to its personal sales objectives even with more measured progress.

BYD, which came within 243 units of overtaking market leader Toyota during June 2026, has climbed rapidly through the sales rankings.

The brand entered the local scene only in 2022 but already leads the more established GWM, which began operations in Australia back in 2009 under the Great Wall name.

BYD now records monthly volumes roughly three times those of GWM, even though the latter held the top spot among Chinese brands in Australia during 2025. GWM shows no resentment, and local COO John Kett has affirmed that BYD has earned its position.

"Above all, they represent an outstanding organisation. Reflecting on their origins, they demonstrated great intelligence," he told CarExpert during the local media event for the Ora 5 SUV.

"They entered the market with outstanding vehicles precisely when EVs and plug-in hybrids enjoyed FBT exemptions.

"Looking back, they established a retail network via Eagers with an entirely new team. Their agency approach avoids discounting while capitalising effectively on novated leases, and they essentially drove those gains themselves."

BYD appointed Eagers Automotive, the nation's largest dealership network, as its sole retailer upon arriving four years earlier. That arrangement shifted in 2025, opening the door for additional authorised outlets beyond the Eagers group.

BYD's local launch benefited from the Federal Government's fringe benefits tax exemption, which allowed many electrified models below the Luxury Car Tax threshold to be leased with pre-tax salary funds.

This created notable reductions in lease costs and simplified access to plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, although the PHEV exemption concluded in 2025. With its exclusive focus on PHEVs and EVs, BYD was ideally positioned to benefit.

"That support proved exceptionally effective," Mr Kett noted. "Worldwide perception of the brand and its positioning also added substantial credibility."

"There is no embarrassment in their lead over us; they are achieving similar results on a global scale."

BYD Australia closed 2025 with 156.2 per cent year-on-year growth, far exceeding GWM's 23.4 per cent rise. In June 2026 alone, BYD achieved 131.5 per cent growth versus the prior year, selling 18,881 units and finishing second only to Toyota. GWM recorded 11.7 per cent growth with 6104 deliveries, placing eighth between Mazda and MG.

Through the first half of 2026, BYD sits securely in second behind Toyota while GWM occupies seventh between Hyundai and Chery.

GWM nevertheless aims for a top-five ranking by the close of 2027 and a long-term top-three position. In 2025, GWM delivered 52,809 vehicles, slightly ahead of BYD's 52,415.

"Our focus remains on building the business steadily," Mr Kett explained. "We advanced from 32,000 to 42,000 then 52,000 units last year and will reach 62,000 to 65,000 this year without doubt."

"We are approaching an internal threshold for the next leap toward 75,000 and higher. The equivalent point for BYD remains unclear."

GWM intends to accelerate sales through an extensive product rollout over the coming six months. It has already launched the Ora 5 SUV, its first new EV in three years, and will soon introduce fresh PHEV and diesel options, updated models, several new vehicles, and the Wey sub-brand.

The company states it enjoys full access to GWM's global range, including the new V8 engine. Its strategy covers diverse powertrains and segments, contrasting with BYD's electrified emphasis.

"Without dwelling on BYD, our attention stays on reaching 75,000 units," Mr Kett said. "We believe our current range and new fleet channels will advance us substantially."

"This expanded lineup will extend beyond simply protecting existing gains and represent the subsequent phase of development."