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McMillan Shakespeare Group has expanded its automotive partnerships to include BYD, Denza, Volkswagen Financial Services, GWM, MG Motor and GAC Group as novated leasing gains ground in Australia's vehicle market.
The broader network strengthens the group's role in linking carmakers, dealers, finance providers and buyers through its novated leasing brands Maxxia, RemServ and Oly. It is also deepening ties with Eagers Automotive, Australia's largest automotive retailer and a key distributor of BYD vehicles.
Novated leasing is becoming a more popular path to car ownership for consumers seeking an alternative to conventional finance. The segment has been particularly active in electric vehicles, supported by the Federal Government's Electric Car Discount and cost-of-living pressures that have pushed buyers to seek lower-cost options.
MMS said its novated leases rose 7% in the first half of FY26, which it said reflected continued market momentum. Industry data from the Australian Finance Industry Association, cited by the company, showed novated leasing accounted for about 92% of all EV finance volume in Australia.
The company's relationship with BYD has become one of its most prominent manufacturer links. It began through Eagers and is now in its third year, spanning customer acquisition, dealer engagement, digital integration and vehicle financing.
More recently, MMS formalised a direct partnership with BYD after a visit to the manufacturer's headquarters in China. It has also been appointed a preferred leasing partner for Denza, BYD's premium electric vehicle marque, as the brand enters Australia's small and medium-sized enterprise market.
"Our strategy is simple: create stronger connections between automotive brands and customers while making vehicle ownership easier, more affordable and more accessible," said Antonia Albanese, Chief Customer Officer, McMillan Shakespeare Group.
"Novated leasing is becoming an increasingly important growth channel for automotive brands, particularly as consumers look for smarter ways to purchase vehicles and reduce cost-of-living pressures," Albanese said.
BYD ties
The expansion highlights how salary packaging and leasing groups are moving further into the vehicle distribution chain. Rather than acting only as finance intermediaries, they are seeking direct ties with manufacturers and dealer groups to influence demand and guide buyers through a single purchasing journey.
MMS said it works directly with original equipment manufacturers to generate demand, inform consumers, support dealers and manage transactions through a digital novated leasing platform. The model is designed to connect carmakers, dealer networks, finance providers and end customers more closely than traditional lending arrangements.
Albanese said BYD's scale and product rollout were central to the expanded relationship.
"What we saw in China reinforced what three years of partnership had already told us. BYD is building for the future at extraordinary scale and speed.
"Our direct partnership with BYD marks an exciting new chapter, building on the strong foundations established through our longstanding relationship with Eagers Automotive. Together, we're creating greater access to world-class vehicle technology while delivering exceptional value and affordability for Australian customers," Albanese said.
Eagers said the arrangement shows how integrated finance and retail links are becoming more important as new brands seek broader reach in Australia. BYD has been one of the fastest-growing electric vehicle brands in the market, making distribution and financing partnerships increasingly important to its local expansion.
"As Australia's largest retail partner of BYD, we are committed to making vehicle ownership more accessible and convenient for customers," said Paul Warburton, Executive General Manager, Eagers Automotive.
"MMS has become an important strategic partner, connecting OEMs, dealers and consumers through a highly effective novated leasing platform that continues to support growth across the automotive industry," Warburton said.
Wider network
Beyond BYD and Denza, MMS is also building relationships with other Chinese vehicle makers that have expanded rapidly in Australia. They include GWM, MG Motor and GAC Group, each of which has lifted its local profile as established brands face stronger competition in both electric and conventional vehicles.
The company's finance links also extend to Volkswagen Financial Services Australia, covering Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda and CUPRA. That gives MMS access to a broader mix of brands across mass-market and premium segments.
Market conditions have also supported the strategy. Figures cited from the National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association showed the Electric Car Discount has helped put more than 100,000 EVs on Australian roads, while battery electric vehicle market share rose from 1.4% in 2021 to 8.3% in 2025.
Those figures help explain why novated leasing groups are becoming more visible in the car retail market. As manufacturers look for more routes to customers and buyers seek lower running costs, leasing providers that combine employer salary packaging, dealer access and finance have gained leverage.
"Automotive manufacturers are increasingly looking for partners who can do more than simply provide finance," Albanese said.
"They want partners capable of generating demand, supporting dealer networks, improving customer experiences and accelerating growth. That is exactly where MMS is uniquely positioned.
"By bringing together OEMs, dealer networks, financing solutions and digital capability within a single ecosystem, we are helping automotive brands grow while delivering greater choice, convenience and value for Australian customers," Albanese said.