China's BYD gains ground in Sri Lanka's auto market

Abstract : BYD, a Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, is expanding its footprint in Sri Lanka with plans to introduce DENZA, its premium luxury brand, through local distributor John Keells CG Auto.

Photo taken on May 27, 2025 shows a BYD SHARK 6 vehicle in Colombo, Sri Lanka. BYD, a Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, is expanding its footprint in Sri Lanka with plans to introduce DENZA, its premium luxury brand, through local distributor John Keells CG Auto. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

COLOMBO, May 27 (Xinhua) -- BYD, a Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, is expanding its footprint in Sri Lanka with plans to introduce DENZA, its premium luxury brand, through local distributor John Keells CG Auto.

This was revealed at a press conference held here on Tuesday. Representatives of BYD and John Keells signed an MoU to facilitate DENZA's entry into the local market, showing their ambition to expand Sri Lanka's high-end electric vehicles.

DENZA, established in 2010, focuses on luxurious new energy vehicles. Its current lineup includes premium models such as the D9, N7, Z9, and Z9GT, promising Sri Lankan consumers a fully optimized travel experience.

Speaking at the event, Krishan Balendra, chairperson of the John Keells Group, said BYD's rapid success in Sri Lanka's NEV segment "reflects the strength of our partnership and our shared vision for the future of mobility."

"The upcoming introduction of DENZA marks the beginning of yet another exciting chapter -- bringing premium NEV experiences to local customers," he said.

Since Sri Lanka eased import restrictions in early 2025, BYD has swiftly captured consumer interest with a range of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Increasing demand for BYD vehicles shows the growing consumer shift toward new energy mobility in Sri Lanka.

To further cement its market presence, BYD and John Keells CG Auto are rapidly expanding their showroom and after-sales networks. New showrooms are set to open soon in Ampara and Ratnapura in Sri Lanka's Eastern and Sabaragamuwa provinces, respectively.

These new showrooms augment existing locations in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, and Kurunegala, four of the most populous cities in the country. Concurrently, after-sales service centers are also expanding into key locations such as Kandy, Galle, Kurunegala, Ratnapura, and Ampara, ensuring robust support for customers nationwide.

Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, said Sri Lanka is a key market for BYD in South Asia. "While the scale of business in Sri Lanka is not on the same level as other markets we have entered in the region, Sri Lanka's size means that it can still serve as a global case study for the positive impacts of electric mobility on a national scale."

Both companies have also planned to establish a regional training center, aimed at building technical capabilities locally. This aligns with their broader vision of enhancing the accessibility of NEVs, catering comprehensively from entry-level vehicles to premium luxury segments, shaping Sri Lanka's journey towards sustainable automotive solutions.

Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, speaks at a press conference on introducing BYD's premium luxury brand DENZA into the local market in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 27, 2025. BYD, a Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, is expanding its footprint in Sri Lanka with plans to introduce DENZA, its premium luxury brand, through local distributor John Keells CG Auto. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

Krishan Balendra, chairperson of the John Keells Group, speaks at a press conference on introducing BYD's premium luxury brand DENZA into the local market in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 27, 2025. BYD, a Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, is expanding its footprint in Sri Lanka with plans to introduce DENZA, its premium luxury brand, through local distributor John Keells CG Auto. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

Representatives of BYD and John Keells CG Auto show MoUs to facilitate BYD's premium luxury brand DENZA's entry into the local market in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 27, 2025. BYD, a Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, is expanding its footprint in Sri Lanka with plans to introduce DENZA, its premium luxury brand, through local distributor John Keells CG Auto. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

Representatives of BYD and John Keells CG Auto sign MoUs to facilitate BYD's premium luxury brand DENZA's entry into the local market in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 27, 2025. BYD, a Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, is expanding its footprint in Sri Lanka with plans to introduce DENZA, its premium luxury brand, through local distributor John Keells CG Auto. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)

People attend a press conference on introducing BYD's premium luxury brand DENZA into the local market in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 27, 2025. BYD, a Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker, is expanding its footprint in Sri Lanka with plans to introduce DENZA, its premium luxury brand, through local distributor John Keells CG Auto. (Photo by Ajith Perera/Xinhua)