BYD will be adding a new model, the BYD M6, in Malaysia soon. This was confirmed by Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division, at an event in China in August.

The BYD M6 is a fully electric (BEV) MPV that is currently available in Thailand and Indonesia. No timeline for the Malaysian launch has been announced but historically, local distributor, Sime Darby Beyond Auto launches at least one new model every year.

This year alone, BYD has launched 3 new models – the BYD Seal in February, the additional Seal Dynamic in September, and the updated 2024 BYD Atto 3 Extended Range in the same month.

The BYD M6 began life as the BYD e6 which was only available for fleet operators and taxi companies. It was later renamed into the M6. It is powered by a front-mounted (FWD) electric motor that has two different outputs – 161 PS/310 Nm or 204 PS/310 Nm.

The motor is juiced up by either a 55.4-kWh or a 71.8-kWh Blade battery pack and has a maximum range of 530 km (NEDC).

Available as a 6- or 7-seater, the M6 is packed with many modern amenities including a panoramic glass roof, BYD’s signature 12.8-inch rotating infotainment unit, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a wireless phone charger, and air conditioning with PM 2.5 filtration.

Prices for the M6 in Indonesia start from IDR 379 million (~RM 109k), undercutting the Toyota Innova Zenix which starts from IDR 434 million (~RM 118k) but is positioned above the most expensive Toyota Veloz variant that is priced at IDR 340.4 million (~RM 92k).

Meanwhile, in Thailand, the BYD M6 retails from THB 829,900 (~RM 107k). This is not only more affordable than the Innova Zenix which starts from THB 1.379 million (~RM 178k) but is also priced less than the highest spec Veloz variant which is priced at THB 875,000 (~RM 113k).

In both of our neighbours, the BYD M6 is fully imported (CBU) from China and our local spec is very likely to originate from the Middle Kingdom too. Will its price be just as competitive in our neighbours though?

With the BYD M6 confirmed, BYD will have four models in Malaysia spanning from the entry-level Dolphin, the family-leaning Atto 3, and the performance-oriented Seal. Below are the prices (on-the-road, without insurance) and variants of the BYD model range currently available in Malaysia:

• BYD Dolphin
  • Dynamic Standard – RM 100,700
  • Premium Extended – RM 125,600
• BYD Atto 3
  • Standard – RM 150,430
  • Extended – RM 168,430
• BYD Seal
  • Dynamic – RM 164,500
  • Premium – RM 180,500
  • Performance – RM 200,500