ECONOMYNEXT – Brokers for China’s BYD in Sri Lanka, JKCG Auto mentioned it’s providing clients Sealion 6 plug in hybrids instead of electrical autos as a dispute with Customs authorities proceed, and referred to as for unbiased internationally accredited testing to find out motor output.
“…Sri Lanka Customs has appointed a Committee of its personal accord,” JKCG mentioned in an announcement Tuesday.
“It’s our understanding that this Committee is anticipated to think about some technical issues belatedly raised by Sri Lanka Customs.
“We’ve got constantly maintained, and indicated, our willingness to topic the choose automobile fashions to testing at an unbiased, internationally accredited motor laboratory which can assist confirm and clear any issues relating to the output of the motor capability of the autos.
“This may guarantee accuracy, credibility and consistency, and now we have already intimated this suggestion to Sri Lanka Customs, throughout and out of doors of Courtroom proceedings.”
Sri Lanka Customs detained round 2,000 BYD EVs over a dispute concerning the motor capability. In Sri Lanka taxes are charged by the motor ‘capability’ measured in kilo Watt hours. The tax distinction is over two million rupees for some automobiles.
Authorities have detained autos questioning soft-ware restricted motors and has not accepted paperwork submitted from the producer.
“In any occasion, the globally accepted norm is to depend on the Producer’s Certificates for automobile clearance which has not been utilized to BYD electrical autos,” the corporate mentioned.
Within the meantime, JKCG mentioned clients who ordered EVs can be given the choice to change to BYD Sealion 6 plug in hybrids for a payment of 200,000 rupees.
JKCG mentioned the purchasers who ordered EVS might get a refund with curiosity earlier than October 10, or maintain the order till the dispute was resolved.
The agency would proceed to simply accept orders for EVs, however no deposit was required.
The complete assertion is reproduced under:
Assertion by John Keells CG Auto (JKCG)- 30.09.2025
John Keells CG Auto (JKCG) needs to additional replace its clients and stakeholders on the continued proceedings earlier than the Courtroom of Enchantment relating to sure consignments of BYD autos detained by Sri Lanka Customs and different associated developments.
Whereas now we have sought interim reduction from the Courts to acquire the discharge of our electrical autos (EV), we proceed to have interaction with the Sri Lanka Customs to clear shipments of the remaining autos which proceed to be unjustly detained.
In the intervening time, as reported within the media, Sri Lanka Customs has appointed a Committee of its personal accord. It’s our understanding that this Committee is anticipated to think about some technical issues belatedly raised by Sri Lanka Customs.
We’ve got constantly maintained, and indicated, our willingness to topic the choose automobile fashions to testing at an unbiased, internationally accredited motor laboratory which can assist confirm and clear any issues relating to the output of the motor capability of the autos.
This may guarantee accuracy, credibility and consistency, and now we have already intimated this suggestion to Sri Lanka Customs, throughout and out of doors of Courtroom proceedings.
We’ve got, within the spirit of co-operation, supplied all the required data obtained by us from the Producer to that Committee, and we intend to proceed to take action.
We stay aware of the necessity for the Committee’s deliberations to be performed with impartiality and transparency, which we take into account important to sustaining a cooperative and honest engagement, however our place that its findings aren’t binding given our place that unbiased take a look at verification is the clearest method to resolve any uncertainty.
In any occasion, the globally accepted norm is to depend on the Producer’s Certificates for automobile clearance which has not been utilized to BYD electrical autos.
Whereas we proceed to have interaction with the authorities, the decision of this matter taking longer than anticipated has resulted in our lack of ability to decide to a confirmed supply timeline for our electrical automobile (EV) fashions, at this second. This has necessitated us to supply alternate choices to our valued clients who’ve positioned their belief in JKCG and have been affected person, and understanding, having appreciated the extenuating circumstances.
We’ve got instantly contacted all affected clients and proceed to have interaction with them. Clients who made bookings for EVs previous to eleventh September 2025 have been provided three choices to:
(1) swap to a BYD SEALION 5 with a particular low cost;
(2) obtain a refund with curiosity (if confirmed by tenth October 2025);
or (3) retain their unique reserving till Customs willpower or litigation proceedings are accomplished.
We want to make clear that clients can nonetheless place orders for EVs, topic to the unsure final result of supply based mostly on our engagement with the authorities. Contemplating the uncertainty of supply and in order to not burden our clients, we is not going to require fee advances for Electrical Car (EV) bookings at this juncture.
We want to guarantee our clients that every one importation and deliveries of BYD Plug-in Hybrid Electrical Autos (PHEVs) stay unaffected and can proceed as scheduled. We additional want to reiterate and guarantee our current valued EV and Plug-in Hybrid clients, that warranties, spare components, and associated providers stay absolutely supported by BYD and JKCG.
As we imagine {that a} honest and degree enjoying discipline for all automobile importers is important to reaching the broader imaginative and prescient of speedy transition to sustainable mobility within the nation, JKCG will proceed its investments in charging infrastructure, growth of our showroom community, after-sales service and capability constructing. The just lately opened Showroom in Moratuwa and our new service facility with the brand new Wattala Service Heart demonstrates our dedication to help the continued progress of the EV footprint in Sri Lanka.
As acknowledged beforehand, now we have prolonged our full cooperation to all related authorities and supplied the producer’s specs and compliance documentation, that are accepted globally, because the authorised distributor for BYD in Sri Lanka. We reiterate our dedication to compliance, and full transparency with which now we have approached this matter from the outset. We want to thank all our stakeholders and, significantly, our clients for his or her loyalty, belief and continued understanding and help.
