Against the backdrop of an unprecedented expansion of the BYD brand in Sri Lanka, spearheaded by John Keells CG Auto (JKCG Auto), Ketsu Zhang, Deputy General Manager of BYD's Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, and Peter Feng, Head of Asia Pacific Aftersales at BYD, visited Sri Lanka recently to tour the aftersales facilities built to support that growth and to mark the milestone of 20,000 vehicle services completed locally. As the world's number one new energy vehicle brand, BYD has expanded rapidly across international markets, and Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the stronger markets within that picture.

Within nine months of vehicle imports resuming, BYD had claimed approximately 37% of all brand-new vehicle registrations and over 70% of electric vehicle registrations in Sri Lanka.

"Sri Lanka is one of the most significant markets for BYD in South Asia, and what JKCG Auto has built here across both sales and aftersales infrastructure reflects the kind of commitment and pace we look for in a long-term partner. We see considerable potential in this market, and our focus from here is to ensure the ownership experience continues to strengthen alongside its growth," said Zhang.

The Aftersales Expansion

For BYD, aftersales capability in a new market is planned in parallel with sales from the outset, with projections for service demand built alongside sales forecasts from day one. That approach has sharpened with every new market the brand has entered, and two factors consistently determine whether growth is sustained: aftersales capability and charging infrastructure. In Sri Lanka, both have benefited from significant investment.

"When we enter a new market, we plan the aftersales side alongside sales projections from the beginning, and our ability to calibrate that planning improves with each market we enter. In Sri Lanka, the pace of growth has been strong, and our focus has been on ensuring the aftersales infrastructure keeps pace with it," said Feng.

BYD and JKCG Auto have now completed over 20,000 vehicle services locally. The four-storey aftersales facility in Wattala, the largest BYD service centre in Sri Lanka, handles up to 150 vehicles per day. The wider 3S network now spans the island, with centres in Kurunegala and and new locations in Kandy, Galle, Ratnapura and Ampara opened in recent months, with further expansion planned for Negombo, Anuradhapura and Jaffna. The Seeduwa facility, developed from the former Formula World site, is Sri Lanka's largest dedicated bodyshop and accident repair centre for BYD and DENZA vehicles, with capacity for over 100 vehicles.

Spare parts availability has received equal attention. Local inventory has been significantly strengthened, with sizeable buffer stocks being maintained by JKCG. The ordering process between JKCG Auto and BYD Global has been automated, and BYD's China warehouse system can achieve approximately 95 percent spare parts readiness within two weeks of a purchase order being placed.

Technician capability has been developed through structured overseas training, with local teams sent to China for model-specific programmes and additional support delivered through BYD's Thailand operation. Ongoing refresher training keeps pace with evolving NEV technology. BYD is also looking at Sri Lanka as a potential base for broader technical training across South Asia, a recognition of the market's growing regional significance. Digital tools are being introduced across service centres to support diagnostics and improve overall workshop efficiency.

Charging Infrastructure and Range Confidence

Aftersales support and charging infrastructure go hand in hand when it comes to building long-term ownership confidence. For many prospective buyers, range anxiety remains the primary hesitation, and the charging infrastructure now in place addresses that directly. More than 21 fast chargers have been installed islandwide, capable of charging an NEV within around an hour, and every customer receives a 7kW home charger for overnight charging. For PHEV owners, the ability to operate in full EV mode for the majority of day-to-day travel reduces fuel dependence significantly.

NEVs offer significantly lower running costs than conventional vehicles, and where home solar is in the picture, day-to-day running costs for many owners have come close to negligible. Owners who pay less to run their vehicles tend to drive more, and those usage patterns, across a rapidly growing customer base, have reinforced just how central aftersales is to the ownership experience.

"The response to BYD in Sri Lanka has been extraordinary, and we are proud of what has been built in a short period of time. We have had our fair share of challenges along the way, and we continue to learn and improve with every step — expanding our network, strengthening our parts supply and investing in our technicians — and we are committed to raising the bar on what our customers experience," said Chathuranga Kahawatte, Head of Aftersales at JKCG Auto.

For BYD and JKCG Auto in Sri Lanka, the priority now is to keep building the support structure that long-term market development requires. The response has taken the form of a wider effort to expand capacity, strengthen technical depth and improve the systems supporting customers on the ground. That work is well under way, with a clear focus on making the ownership experience stronger and more dependable as the market continues to develop. As NEV adoption in Sri Lanka grows, the intent is to ensure that every customer who makes the switch does so with the full confidence that the support behind their vehicle is built to last.

Ketsu Zhang, Deputy General Manager of BYD’s Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division

Peter Feng, Head of Asia Pacific Aftersales at BYD