BYD Malaysia vehicles unaffected by China recall, says Sime Darby Motors

KUALA LUMPUR:  Sime Darby Motors, the official distributor of BYD vehicles in Malaysia, has assured Malaysian customers that the recent recall affecting BYD models in China does not impact vehicles sold in Malaysia.

The recall, announced by BYD Auto Industry Co., Ltd. and BYD Automobile Co., Ltd., is strictly limited to vehicles within the Chinese market.

In a statement, Sime Darby Motors emphasized, "The BYD models sold in Malaysia are not affected by the recent recall announcement by BYD in China as it is limited exclusively to vehicles sold in the China market."

This development follows a report from China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), revealing that BYD is recalling nearly 97,000 electric vehicles (EVs) due to a potential manufacturing fault in the steering control unit that poses a fire risk.

The recall specifically targets certain Dolphin and Atto 3 models—known as Yuan Plus in China—produced between November 2022 and December 2023.

According to CNN, BYD has notified the Chinese regulator of this issue. While the company has yet to comment on the recall directly, SAMR mentioned that BYD will be asking its dealers to implement a physical fix for the affected vehicles.

Notably, the statement did not specify whether any of the recalled EVs were exported.

The Dolphin and Yuan Plus are among BYD’s top-selling models, contributing to 26% of its total sales in 2023, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

This recall is a rare occurrence for BYD, which has rapidly risen to become a leading global seller of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The company previously issued a recall in 2022 for a small batch of Tang plug-in hybrids due to a battery pack defect.

Sime Darby Motors' reassurance comes as Malaysian customers seek clarity on whether the recall could affect their vehicles. With this latest update, BYD owners in Malaysia can continue to drive with confidence, knowing their vehicles are not involved in this particular recall.

Sime Darby Motors' swift response to the recall news is understandable, as it aims to maintain the positive momentum BYD has built in Malaysia.

The Malaysia Zero Emission Vehicle Association (MyZEVA) recently reported that the country saw impressive sales of battery-electric vehicles, with an estimated 12,400 units sold in the first seven months of 2024.

Leading the pack is the BYD Seal, commanding a 17% market share since its launch in February, bolstered further by the introduction of the Seal Dynamic variant earlier this month.

Hot on its heels is the Atto 3, with a 16% share, while the Tesla Model Y holds third place at 15%. The Tesla Model 3 follows with a 13% share, and completing the top five is the BYD Dolphin, accounting for 8% of the market. 

This remarkable market performance underscores the importance of Sime Darby Motors' reassurance, as it seeks to uphold customer confidence in BYD's lineup amid a rapidly growing EV market in Malaysia.

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