BYD Australia will offer full refunds to 1265 Australian customers whose 2026 cars were, in fact, built in 2025, according to media reports.
The ABC and Sydney Morning Herald both reported the issue and BYD’s response on Saturday. Prior to this, BYD had been contacting affected customers privately about the build-year discrepancy, offering $1100 as compensation.
The reports state that some affected customers felt this was insufficient and took their concerns to the media, leading to Saturday’s reporting.
BYD denies the refund offer is a direct result of the ABC’s enquiries, and customers can choose between the $1100 compensation or the refund.
Paul Ellis, BYD Australia’s public relations director, told the ABC the company had mistakenly used the dates the affected cars departed the factory, rather than the dates they were built, in sales contracts.
“It was an administrative error that occurred. There was no deceit,” he said.
Though the specification of the affected cars is unchanged between MY25 and MY26, and the correct build date was reflected in the cars’ VINs, the Insurance Council of Australia cautions the affected owners to contact their insurers, as there is a small chance BYD’s mistake could affect their coverage and premiums.
The director of the Consumer Policy Research Centre, Erin Turner, said to the ABC that BYD has exposed itself to legal action. Ms Turner highlighted that the cars will have incurred a year’s extra depreciation over the 2026 cars customers expected, leaving them “seriously out of pocket” come resale time.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has not clarified whether it will investigate the matter, but stated to the ABC that customers may formally complain to the Commission, and that BYD could also be pursued for breach of contract.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that BYD continues to call, email and text the affected customers about the issue.
