Motor Distributors Limited Set To Grow Dealer Network

9 hours ago2 min read

Talking to the media on this day last week at the launch of XPENG and its debut all-electric G6 SUV model, MDL director, Ciaran Allen spoke of what he called “the ‘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.”

Emphasising the focus that Motor Distributors Limited (MDL) is currently placing on its drive to recruit main dealers and expand its network beyond existing levels, Allen 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.”

“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,” Allen said.

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.

“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”.

“Also planned is an enlargement of the current BYD Seal range – holder of the 2025 Continental ‘Large Car of the Year 2025’ Award – with the addition of two new arrivals: a hybrid Seal Coupe and Seal Estate models,” Allen said.

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”.