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MDL hints at BYD Seal coupe and estate models

MDL hints at BYD Seal coupe and estate models MDL hints at BYD Seal coupe and estate models

Motor Distributors Limited, or MDL, is one of the longest-serving car importers in Ireland. It began in the 1940s and was responsible for the construction of the historic first VW Beetle to be made outside of Germany. It was VW’s Irish importer until the mid-early 2010s. Most famously, it’s been the Irish distributor for Mercedes-Benz for seven decades now. Mazda, Skoda, and even Citroen have been on the company’s roster at one time or another.

Spearheading the arrival of Chinese car brands

Now, MDL is spearheading the arrival of Chinese car brands in Ireland. The company took on the franchise for BYD three years ago, holds the franchise for Sino-German brand Smart, and just this month launched Xpeng into Ireland. Now, Ciaran Allen, director at MDL, says that Chinese brands represent a huge opportunity for MDL’s future.

Speaking at the Xpeng launch in Dublin, Allen said that there’s a “scale of opportunity that exists for dealers as BYD continues its drive to grow market share in Ireland, and as new-arrival Xpeng limbers-up to become another major player on the Irish scene.”

Key new BYD models coming soon

“In numerical terms, Xpeng is poised to significantly increase its model offering beyond the G6 model now available. Ahead of us is the promise of their flagship G9 SUV, their P7 Sedan and their P7 Plus Fastback Sedan,” Allen added. “With BYD, the future is similarly positive with five new models in the pipeline. They are a Sealion 7 SUV; an all-new Atto 2 – partner model for the Atto 3, which won the Continental ‘Best Compact SUV of the Year 2024’ Award; and an attractively-modelled sub-compact BYD Dolphin.”

Allen also revealed some of BYD’s future expansions for the Seal lineup beyond the existing Seal saloon, Sealion 7 SUV, and Seal-U DMI hybrid SUV, with “a hybrid Seal Coupe and Seal Estate models” in the pipeline.

Extensive network of dealers

MDL obviously has an extensive network of dealers in Ireland already, but Allen confirmed that the company will be recruiting outside that pool as it seeks to expand both BYD’s and Xpeng’s operations here.

Allen also pointed out that, although Irish sales of EVs fell last year, when Irish car buyers are offered an electric car at the right price, they respond. “As BYD’s sales volumes to-date show, Irish motorists are ‘responding enthusiastically’ to the cost savings that electric motoring brings, and to the ‘more for less’ value that Chinese-built vehicles deliver”, said Allen. “Now, with the arrival of Xpeng on to the market here, and the launch of its ‘hi-spec’ G6 SUV, the added competition that this new market entrant brings will drive growth and increase customer interest even further.”

BYD currently has eight dealers in Ireland — two in Dublin, and then Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Wexford (Enniscorthy), Kerry (Castleisland) and Galway — while Xpeng will launch with one location in south Dublin, but with eyes on — as Allen puts it — “significant expansion in dealer numbers” in the coming months.

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Published on January 29, 2025
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