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🇦🇺 Australia /Economy & Trade

BYD admits selling wrong year cars, offers full refunds to 1,200+ customers

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • BYD will offer full refunds to over 1,200 customers who purchased electric and hybrid cars built in the wrong year.
  • Customers who paid for 2026 models received 2025 builds and were initially offered a $1,100 compensation.
  • BYD acknowledged an administrative error, apologized, and committed to full refunds after customer complaints and media inquiries.

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD is offering full refunds to more than 1,200 customers after admitting to selling cars built in the wrong year. Customers who believed they were purchasing 2026 models discovered they had received 2025 builds, leading to frustration and accusations of misleading conduct.

It was an administrative error that occurred. There was no deceit.

— Paul EllisBYD public relations director Paul Ellis explaining the situation.

Initially, BYD offered a $1,100 compensation, which some customers and a consumer advocate deemed inadequate. The company has since reversed its stance, apologizing for the "administrative error" and committing to a full refund for all affected buyers. BYD stated that customers can keep the refund and choose to purchase another BYD vehicle if they wish.

It's very unethical, seems to be very cheap tactics to me.

— Zoheb KhanMelbourne customer Zoheb Khan expressing his feelings about BYD's actions.

One affected customer, Zoheb Khan, described the situation as "very unethical" and "cheap tactics." He purchased a BYD Atto 3 electric vehicle for $47,000, a significant financial commitment, only to be informed weeks later of the build year discrepancy. Khan confirmed his car's VIN indicated a 2025 build, despite his contract stating otherwise.

How can the error be so big?

— BYD customerA customer's reaction to the news on social media.

BYD's public relations director, Paul Ellis, denied that the company's decision to offer full refunds was solely due to media involvement, stating that ongoing discussions with its China operations and local management had already been taking place. The company maintains there was no deceit involved in the error.

We will offer customers a full refund. They will take that refund and if they wish to have a new transaction they can purchase another BYD from us.

— Paul EllisBYD public relations director Paul Ellis detailing the refund offer.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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