BYD's next move in Australia could be a Kia Carnival challenging electric people mover as a right-hand drive electric example is spotted in China

BYD’s next move in Australia after the launch of the Sealion 6 mid-size PHEV SUV and the Shark PHEV ute could be a people mover to round out its range of vehicles as an un-camouflaged right-hand drive vehicle is spotted in China.

Dubbed the M6 according to badgework in the pictures, the new people mover appears to be a heavy update of an existing model, the Song Max, which is only available as a DM-i plug-in hybrid currently.

Its styling gets a heavy update, with a closed-in grille rather than the previous car’s more dated design and a more minimalistic approach to its rear light fittings. Adding fuel to the argument that it will be destined for export markets like Australia, it uses the new small-profile ‘BYD’ badge across the rear, rather than the full ‘Build Your Dreams” phrasing which was used on earlier vehicles brought to our market that the brand said it was moving away from.

People movers are also particularly popular in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, all markets where BYD now has a presence in South East Asia, which may account entirely for its right-hand drive appearance.

It might be a surprise to learn that it wouldn’t be the only BYD people mover seen in Australia though, with a handful of previous-generation E6 MPVs imported to our market in 2022 under the previous importer, Nexport.

The current BYD range, which consists of the Dolphin hatch, Seal sedan, Atto 3 SUV, Sealion 6 mid-sizer and soon the Shark ute, is distributed in Australia by EVDirect.

The M6 was unusually spotted in RHD configuration (Image: Autohome)

The e6 was slightly smaller than this M6, which appears to share its dimensions with the Song Max. Expect significant upgrades to cabin technology and a significant electric motor boost over the e6’s 70kW/180Nm front motor. It would not be surprising to see such a vehicle use at least the Atto 3’s 150kW/310Nm motor as BYD updates its few remaining older vehicles in its range to current-generation tech.

At 4710mm long, 1810mm wide and 1880mm high, the M6 would be in a size-class below the people mover segment’s top-selling Kia Carnival (5155mm x 1995mm x 1775mm) and the second-place Hyundai Staria (5253mm x 1997mm x 1990mm). It would only need to rival the pricey LDV Mifa 9 (from $104,000) and Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer (from $127,018) as a fully electric option in the segment.

BYD in Australia will have its hands full in the next year as it rolls out its aggressively priced range of vehicles. It also has a price war on its hands in the entry-level segment where it currently fields the Dolphin hatch (from $38,890 before on-roads). Speaking to CarsGuide recently the local importer’s CEO David Smitherman said the brand was considering (but not confirming) the Seagull city car (also known as the Dolphin Mini in some export markets) as a potential option for our market.

Other promising candidates from the brand’s Chinese range include the Song L (a Kia EV6 or Mustang Mach-E rival) or a big off-road plug-in hybrid SUV from its Fang Cheng Bao range, the Bao 5, a car which it registered a trademark for in Australia earlier this year.