Soaring Oil Prices Drive BYD Sales Surge in Australia, Up Over 50% Year-on-Year in March

Fuel supply shortages in Australia, triggered by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, have driven retail gasoline prices to surge to AUD 2.52–2.60 per liter (approximately RMB 12.4–12.9). Soaring fuel costs are prompting consumers to switch to electric vehicles (EVs), with Chinese brand BYD emerging as a popular choice. Since March, BYD showrooms in Macau have seen a significant increase in foot traffic, with some models selling out and customers facing waitlists pending the arrival of roll-on/roll-off vessels. In high-demand stores across cities like Melbourne, daily sales exceed 10 units, and some sales staff have sold over 100 vehicles in less than a month. According to data, BYD has already sold 52,000 vehicles in Australia in 2025—a 156% year-on-year increase—with multiple models ranking among the country’s top-selling vehicles. Industry insiders expect persistently high fuel prices to continue driving more Australian consumers toward Chinese EV brands.