BYD, in collaboration with its authorized distributor John Keells CG Auto, has ascended to the forefront of the brand-new vehicle market, heralding a new chapter in sustainable mobility within Sri Lanka.
Since the resumption of vehicle imports a year ago, BYD has swiftly achieved market dominance, claiming the top spot in both the brand-new vehicle and electric vehicle segments. The SEALION 6 has notably led the SUV category. This achievement is attributed to the strategic expansion of BYD’s product lineup and retail network in the local market.
“The response to BYD in Sri Lanka has been overwhelmingly positive. Having established ourselves as the clear leader in the brand-new vehicle segment, we are now focused on rapidly enhancing our after-sales capabilities. Our goal is to provide a seamless, frictionless experience for our valued customers. With these investments, we aim to significantly increase service capacity, improve service consistency, and ensure our customers receive seamless support wherever they are,” stated Charith Panditharatne, Chief Executive Officer of John Keells CG Auto.
In the nine months following the resumption of vehicle imports, BYD accounted for approximately 37% of all brand-new vehicle registrations in Sri Lanka and over 70% of cumulative electric vehicle registrations. This reflects a sustained demand across multiple segments and use cases.
As volumes increased during this period, BYD expanded its local operations through John Keells CG Auto with a phased rollout of models and showrooms to meet the demand. The lineup was expanded to include models such as ATTO 3, DOLPHIN, M6, SEAL, SEALION 6, SHARK 6, SEALION 5, ATTO 1, and ATTO 2. This was complemented by the establishment of new showrooms across key markets, reinforcing the brand’s growing presence in Sri Lanka.
The next phase of expansion focuses on bolstering after-sales operations to support the increasing vehicle base across the country. A significant aspect of this effort is the opening of BYD’s largest after-sales service center in Sri Lanka, located in Wattala. This facility is anticipated to enhance service capacity and improve turnaround times across the full passenger vehicle range, marking a significant operational milestone as BYD completes 10,000 vehicle services locally.
Simultaneously, John Keells CG Auto has acquired the former Formula World facility in Seeduwa, establishing the largest purpose-built body shop and accident repair center dedicated to BYD and DENZA vehicles in Sri Lanka. With the capacity to accommodate over 100 vehicles at a time, this facility enhances repair capabilities and provides a dedicated solution for collision repairs and complex bodywork in the country.
Beyond Colombo, BYD continues to expand its footprint with new facilities in Kandy, Ratnapura, Ampara, Kurunegala, Negombo, Galle, Anuradhapura, and Jaffna, extending service access across key regional markets.
