MDL SEEKS TO GROW ITS DEALER NETWORK
Published on 29th January 2025 at 13:36
At their recent launch of the new XPENG brand, heralded by their unveiling of the
G6, an all-electric coupe SUV, MDL director, Ciaran Allen spoke of “the ‘scale of
opportunity’ that exists for dealers as one of their other brands, BYD, continues its
drive to grow market share in Ireland. With the arrival o0f XPENG and as new-
arrival XPENG, Ciaran reckons it will become another major player on the Irish
scene.
Ciaran noted: “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.” Hence the emphasised focus that
Motor Distributors Limited (MDL) is currently placing on its drive to recruit main
dealers and expand its network beyond existing levels.
Continuing, Ciaran added, “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.”
Looking forward, he added: “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.
Soon to join the BYD stable will be five other models, the 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 the sub-compact BYD Dolphin”.
The SEAL range also will be expanded with the addition of two new arrivals: a hybrid
Seal Coupe and Seal Estate models.
Currently, BYD dealerships are in operation in Dublin (2), Cork, Limerick,
Waterford, Wexford (Enniscorthy), Kerry (Castleisland) and Galway.
With the ambition to further increase BYD’s presence on the market – and with the
added requirements that the launch of XPENG brings – plans being pursued by MDL
allow for what Allen says will be “significant expansion in dealer numbers”.
