BYD Australia could soon add a new model to its local line-up with its M9 people mover given the governmental green light to be sold locally. It would give the brand an alternative to the Kia Carnival, which has been the best-selling people mover in Australia for over 15 years.

Unlike the Carnival, the M9 is a plug-in hybrid, combining a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and either 20.4kWh or 36.6kWh batteries for claimed CLTC EV-only driving ranges of up to 95km for the former or 170km for the latter. The WLTP electric range figure will likely differ by the time the M9 goes on sale in Australia, but we’re still expecting comfortably above 100km for the larger battery.

Claimed performance figures in China are up to 218kW, comfortably outpacing the 180kW 1.6-litre turbo-hybrid Carnival.

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Measuring more than 5100mm long with a 3045mm long wheelbase, the M9 is sized similarly to the Carnival and will battle not only that but the Hyundai Staria, GAC M8, Zeekr 009, Lexus LM and its Denza D9 cousin.

Pricing for the M9 in China starts at ¥206,800 (approx. A$42,300) and available features in China include a 15.6-inch touchscreen, 128-colour ambient lighting, 28 speakers, a 12.3-inch instrument screen and a head-up display.

Unlike the eight-seat Carnival, the M9 is a seven-seater with second-row captain’s chairs. Those chairs feature electrical adjustment with extending leg support, heating and ventilation, while the third row can also be folded electrically. 

BYD Australia is yet to officially comment on the M9’s green light for local sales, but has added significantly to its portfolio in the past 12 months with models like the Sealion 5, Sealion 8, Seal 6, Atto 1 and Atto 2 all joining the range, and further new models like additions to the Shark ute and a big mid-life update for the Atto 3 likely due during the rest of this year.