BYD, in partnership with its authorized distributor John Keells CG Auto, has established itself as the leading brand in Sri Lanka’s brand-new vehicle segment, heralding a new era of sustainable mobility in the country.
Since the resumption of vehicle imports a year ago, BYD has swiftly attained market leadership, securing the top spot in both the brand-new vehicle and electric vehicle segments. The SEALION 6, in particular, has been a standout in the SUV category. This achievement stems from BYD’s strategic expansion of its product lineup and retail network within the local market.
“The response to BYD in Sri Lanka has been overwhelmingly positive. As the clear leader in the brand-new vehicle segment, we are also focusing on rapidly enhancing our after-sales capabilities to ensure a seamless and frictionless experience for our valued customers. Our investments aim to significantly expand service capacity, improve service consistency, and guarantee that customers receive seamless support wherever they are,” stated Charith Panditharatne, CEO of John Keells CG Auto.
During the nine months following the restart 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, demonstrating consistent demand across various segments and use cases.
As volumes increased, BYD expanded its local operations under John Keells CG Auto with a phased rollout of models and showrooms to meet on-the-ground demand. The lineup now includes ATTO 3, DOLPHIN, M6, SEAL, SEALION 6, SHARK 6, SEALION 5, ATTO 1, and ATTO 2. This expansion was complemented by the establishment of new showrooms in key markets, bolstering the brand’s growing presence in Sri Lanka.
The next phase focuses on strengthening after-sales operations to support the growing vehicle base across the country. A critical aspect of this effort is the opening of BYD’s largest after-sales service center in Sri Lanka, located in Wattala. This facility is set to increase service capacity and improve turnaround times for the entire 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, creating 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 simultaneously, this facility enhances repair capabilities and provides a dedicated solution for collision repairs and complex bodywork in the country.
Beyond Colombo, BYD continues to extend its reach with new facilities in regions such as Kandy, Ratnapura, Ampara, Kurunegala, Negombo, Galle, Anuradhapura, and Jaffna, thereby improving service access in key regional markets.
