EVwire brief: BYD is accelerating its Canadian expansion plans with 20 branded dealerships expected within one year, alongside preparations to introduce their EVs to the Canadian market. We take a look at which models they might be. BYD’s quick actions follows Canada’s new tariff-quota system allowing up to 49,000 Chinese EV imports annually at a 6.1% tariff, opening the door for large-scale entry into the market.
Chinese EV giant BYD is preparing a significant Canadian market entry, beginning with plans to establish 20 branded dealerships nationwide within a year.
According to The Globe and Mail, BYD has engaged Dealer Solutions Mergers & Acquisitions, an Ontario-based automotive retail consultancy, to help secure dealership locations across the country. CEO Farid Ahmad confirmed the firm has been tasked with identifying as many of the 20 locations as possible.
Early discussions are already underway for three dealership sites in the Greater Toronto Area, with future expansion planned into:
Vancouver
Montreal
Calgary
Additional competition may follow. Chery Automobile is also reportedly working to establish its own dealership network in Canada.
BYD entered 2026 with regulatory momentum that could finally give Canadian buyers access to the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer. Globally, BYD delivered 4.27 million new energy vehicles in 2024, including battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, surpassing Tesla in total sales volume.
BYD’s timing aligns with Canada’s January 2026 tariff agreement with China, which reduced duties on Chinese-built EVs from 100% to 6.1% while introducing a 49,000-vehicle annual import cap. The policy prioritizes EVs priced under $35,000, positioning models such as the Atto 3 and Dolphin as early candidates for entry.
You can read more on the Canada tariff agreement by checking out the EVwire article Canada decided to let Chinese EVs in, starting with 49,000 per year.
BYD Atto 3
The BYD Atto 3, known as the Yuan Plus in China, serves as BYD’s international flagship compact SUV. It is built on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0, the vehicle surpassed one million units produced by June 2025, with 22% exported globally.
The model pairs a 150 kW motor with either:
49.9 kWh Blade battery or 60.48 kWh Blade battery
Delivers 345 to 420 km WLTP range.
A newer 2026 Atto 3 EVO variant introduces:
800-volt architecture
74.8 kWh battery
220 kW DC fast charging
Optional AWD producing 330 kW
These upgrades strengthen its positioning as an affordable crossover candidate under Canada’s tariff-quota framework.
BYD Dolphin
The BYD Dolphin targets budget-conscious EV buyers and aligns closely with Canada’s sub-$35,000 tariff priority segment.
The European versions include:
150 kW motor
60.48 kWh battery
427 km WLTP range
The model has earned major recognition, including “Best Small Electric Car” at the Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2024 and the Japan EV of the Year 2023.
Transport Canada paused new intake under its Appendix G framework for passenger vehicles in 2025, meaning manufacturers must pursue slower case-by-case authorization. This causes uncertainty and an unresolved path to regulatory approval.
BYD's distributor strategy has yet to be announced. Industry observers are projecting demo units to arrive by mid-2026, with limited retail availability late in the year most likely in Quebec and British Columbia, where electric vehicle adoption rates are highest.
