BRISTOL Street Motors has opened its very first BYD dealership – and it’ll come with a robot assistant.
The huge car dealership group, owned Vertu Motors PLC, will start selling the rapidly growing Chinese automaker from a brand new, high-tech showroom located in Blackpole, Worcester.
BYD look set to battle Tesla as the world’s number one EV maker with the Chinese firm looking to expand outside of Asia, with three new models launching in the UK next year.
Already, the brand has 42 dealerships in the UK – according to data collected by Autotrader – including a newly opened showroom in London’s Canary Wharf.
But now, with one of the UK’s best-recognised dealership groups on board, the brand will be hoping to continue its growth into 2024 and beyond.
According to Bristol Street Motors, the new venture will sit alongside their current Ford dealership at the location, and will include a dedicated showroom for BYD vehicles – with the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal and other models – complete with a robotic assistant.
It’s claimed the futuristic helper will be there to greet customers, offer bottles of water, provide introductions to each vehicle and its specifications, and showcase vehicle videos.
It can also autonomously navigate to its charging point or reception area, and even entertain customers by singing and dancing.
There will also be a shared workshop and service reception facilities with the existing Ford site, supported by specially trained BYD technicians.
The development will create four new jobs but “is poised to grow, creating additional employment opportunities.”
Robert Forrester, chief executive of Bristol Street Motors, said: “The launch of this dealership marks a significant milestone in our collaboration with BYD and our dedication to expanding our new energy vehicle portfolio.
“We eagerly anticipate the opening of our second BYD dealership in Gloucester later this year and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the manufacturer.”
Iain McDonald, general manager of Bristol Street Motors Worcester BYD, said: “We are thrilled to bring the BYD brand to our customers, offering them cutting-edge vehicles and exceptional service.
“It is a new venture from Bristol Street Motors but one which we are all very excited about.
“We will grow with the brand and it’s fantastic to be at the forefront of bringing BYD to the area.
“We’re planning an exciting event in September to introduce BYD and our new dealership to the region, but in the meantime the team, including the robot, is ready and waiting to meet customers.”
Robot assistants at BYD showrooms isn’t a new concept, with other stores reportedly operating AI assistants – including a location in Sydney, Australia.
BYD are also set to become Uber’s main motor of choice and will build a fleet of 100,000 EVs, starting within months.
Uber has long been a pioneer of low-emission transport, with the beloved Toyota Prius hybrid the car of choice for its UK workforce.
Now, though, the company will take a leap into the fully-electric age under its new relationship with the Chinese manufacturer.
