BYD distributor appoints new CEO in Australia from Ram, LDV importer

The Australian importer and distributor of BYD cars, EVDirect, has appointed David Smitherman as the company's new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Smitherman replaces founder Luke Todd as CEO, with Mr Todd continuing in the business as Managing Director and Executive Chairman.

It's understood Mr Smitherman has come across from Ateco Group – the importer of LDV, Renault, Maserati, and Ram – where he was General Manager of Strategy, and previously the CEO of Fiat Chrysler New Zealand (as part of the Ateco Group).

Before his time at Ateco Group – which included providing commercial advice for Chery, Great Wall Motors, Foton Trucks, Lotus, Maserati, and SsangYong in Australian and New Zealand markets – Mr Smitherman worked for the now-defunct South Korean brand Daewoo.

While BYD sold the most electric vehicles globally in 2023, the brand's local arm previously announced a target of becoming one of the Top Five best-selling new-car brands in Australia by 2025 – with an even more ambitious target of outselling Toyota by 2030.

Toyota has been Australia's Number One car brand for more than two decades.

EVDirect has a plan to introduce at least two new BYD models to the local market every year – including four in 2024.

“I'm excited and honoured to join the EVDirect team and help to further build the incredible BYD success story that Luke and the team have achieved,” Mr Smitherman said in a written statement.