BYD Dolphin News

BYD has taken a step towards releasing what could be yet another affordable smash-hit electric model, as the brand trademarked the ‘Atto 3 Up’ name in Australia.This name could sit on locally-delivered versions of the Chinese-market Yuan Up, with Volkswagen likely to challenge use of the Up! name it used (and still holds the trademark for) on its city-sized hatchback, which was discontinued in Australia in 2014.The BYD Yuan Up is also known as the Yuan Pro in other markets outside China, but it seems the brand will stick with relatability should the model launch in Australia.It is offered with a 130kW/290Nm front-mounted electric motor and up to 380km of NEDC-rated range from a relatively small 45kWh battery. A charging capacity of up to 65kW on DC means a charge time from a quoted 30 - 80 per cent in 20 minutes.As with other BYD models, the Yuan Up features a high standard specification, including 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, and up to a 12.8-inch central multimedia touchscreen on higher spec cars, as well as a synthetic leather interior. It relies on the same software and technology platform as the existing Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal already sold in Australia.It could be competitively priced, with higher-grade versions in China sitting at around the equivalent of AU$25,000 (likely closer to the mid-$30,000 mark if it follows the same pattern as other BYD models), leaving room for it to sit at a similar price to the Dolphin hatch (from $36,990) as an SUV alternative, but below the $44,499 starting price of the Atto 3.So far, the Yuan Pro (aka Atto 3 Up) has only been offered in left-hand drive. It is worth noting that BYD also holds many other as-yet-unused trademarks, including nameplates for other models from its Chinese range, like the Han luxury sedan, Song mid-size SUV, and even two options for the name of its sub-Dolphin city hatch, either Dolphin Mini (its name in South America) or Seagull (its name in China).Additionally, BYD holds multiple trademarks for its Denza premium arm, Fang Cheng Bao (Formula Leopard) off-road sub-brand, and its YangWang ultra-luxury marque, complete with separate trademarks for logos, symbols, and individual model names. It even holds a series of trademarks related to its SkyRail mass transit company, which already runs trains in South America and Singapore.BYD will no doubt seek to double down on its strong momentum in Australia with an expanded range to follow-up its plug-in hybrid Shark 6 ute, which has created quite some fanfare.When asked if this would include smaller models, the CEO of BYD’s local importer, David Smitherman told CarsGuide earlier this year the Seagull hatch was definitely a potential candidate, but the brand’s immediate focus would be on SUVs, strengthening the case for the Atto 3 Up being a smaller and cost-effective option in its line-up.He additionally indicated the brand was also strongly considering the Euro-focused E-Vali van as an option for its increasing base of fleet customers who had expressed interest in it.On top of this, the brand has said on multiple occasions it is very interested in the plug-in hybrid off-road focused Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5 (essentially an SUV take on the Shark 6 platform), although hasn’t yet been able to confirm timing.Expanding its range is more important now than ever, with multiple rivals also from China eyeing the success of BYD, MG, and GWM, announcing their own debut models in 2025.These rivals include Xpeng, Geely, GAC, and Leapmotor, all of which have largely electric SUV-led ambitions in the next year.

BYD is looking to drive sales at the end of the year, slashing prices by $3000 on all of its passenger car models for a limited time. Additionally, the Chinese carmaker is offering a $1000 home charger installation voucher in the bundle. This deal applies to the end of November across all BYD models currently on sale, including the Dolphin hatch, Atto 3 small SUV, Seal sedan and Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid medium SUV. It is the latest move in BYD asserting dominance in the Australian new-car market, with loft ambitions first to take a top-five place among manufacturers followed by a challenge on giant Toyota that currently has a lock on first place. The brand plans to sell 25,000 cars this year, double 2023’s sales figures. By the end of October, BYD had registered 16,913 new cars in Australia, with 1732 done last month.It will need to really lift its game to hit the 25,000 target, more than doubling its October sales figures for the last two months of the year to over 4000 in a typically quiet time for new-car sales.BYD was not able to quantify how successful the promotion yas been yet but a spokesperson told CarsGuide "sales are in the thousands to date across the festival BYD campaign."The $3000 discounts bring the Dolphin electric hatch (340km-427km WLTP range) down as low as $33,890 before on-road costs, in Dynamic guise. Close but not enough to undercut the MG4 Excite 51kWh that is still on offer for $32,990 drive-away.The popular Atto 3 Standard drops to a competitive $41,499, while the Seal Dynamic sedan — that already undercut Tesla’s base Model 3 — is a quite ridiculous $46,888, before on-road costs. Finally, the plug-in hybrid Sealion 6 Dynamic drops its price below an equivalently-equipped Toyota RAV4 hybrid at $45,990, before on-road costs. Discounts have been instrumental in driving electric car sales in Australia with brands such as Tesla and MG finding bursts of serious success by slashing prices. Not everyone is on board, though, with critics noting the effects on resale value and price stability. 

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Booming Chinese car brand BYD has slashed the price of its most affordable electric car.The Dolphin small hatchback is now $2000 cheaper, with prices starting at $38,890 (before on-road costs) for the base Dynamic and $42,890 for the Premium.Despite the price cut, the Dolphin has not regained its crown as the cheapest EV on sale in Australia. That title belongs to the GWM Ora, which is priced at $35,990 drive-away.The price cut follows the larger BYD Atto 3 scoring a $3000-plus price haircut last week, despite being an upgraded model with more standard equipment.The Dolphin Dynamic doesn't make the most compelling case on paper with its single electric motor making just 70kW and 180Nm and it's fed by a little 44.9kWh battery that delivers a driving range of up to 340km.The Premium peaks the interest a little more with a larger 60.5kWh battery powering a more potent 150kW and 310Nm electric motor. Driving range is boosted to 427km.They aren’t the fastest-charging EVs on sale: the Dynamic can absorb just 60kW and the Premium 80kW. This means they can both replenish their batteries from 10 to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes.Its stats are in line with the GWM Ora, but both are left in the dust by the more capable and expensive MG4 hatchback.The BYD Dolphin has been the slowest seller in the brand's line-up as buyers gravitate towards the Tesla Model 3-rivalling Seal sedan and the Atto3 compact SUV.BYD’s local importer, EV Direct, has declared there is some interest in bringing in an even cheaper model to sit under the Dolphin.That model is called either Seagull or Dolphin Mini in other markets, and EV Direct CEO David Smitherman previously told CarsGuide the company is looking to expand its range and that cheapie could be on the cards.“So, I've had a look at that car… and it's actually a really good proposition,” he said. “And it's actually bigger than you think. It's sub-Dolphin, but it's got the latest tech. It's a good size vehicle.“But I am not confirming that it's coming to us right now.“We're certainly wanting to grow the portfolio. Our intention is to broaden the product offering, but that it will just take time.”Australia is in the grip of an electric car price war as more and more carmakers are vying for a shrinking pool of new EV buyers.Peugeot cut the price of its e-2008 small electric SUV by more than $20,000 to $39,990 drive-away. Only a few days later the company had sold all its remaining stock and the car won’t be on sale until the updated version arrives early next year.Tesla has slashed the price of its Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan several times since the start of April to $55,900 (before on-road costs) and $54,900 respectively.An entry-level Model Y was $65,400, and the same Model 3 was $61,900 - meaning a $9,500 discount on the Model Y and a $7000 saving on the Model 3.Ford's Mustang Mach-E electric SUV range is between $7000 and $8000 cheaper after recent price cuts.Ford already lopped up to $7000 off the Mach-E before it went on sale in December last year.Established carmakers are now preparing to roll out an array of cheap, small EVs targeted at the everyday driver.Volkswagen is the latest brand to confirm it’ll build a circa-$30,000 EV with its coming ID.1 hatchback.That price puts it in the same ballpark as an entry-level Mazda3 or a fully-loaded Mazda2.Jeep and Citroen are rolling out little EVs at a similar price and Kia will launch the EV3 small electric SUV in Australia next month.Kia and Hyundai both have mini EV SUVs in the works with the EV2 and Inster.

The US government this week has taken aim at Chinese electric car makers and it could have giant consequences for Australia.The Biden administration has slapped Chinese EVs with a 100 per cent tariff, up from the current 25 per cent, snatching away their competitive edge with the stroke of a pen."American workers can out-work and out-compete anyone as long as the competition is fair, but for too long it hasn't been fair," said President Biden according to Reuters. "We're not going to let China flood our market."He said Chinese government subsidies ensure the country’s carmakers don’t have to turn a profit, giving them an unfair advantage in global trade.It’s not just EVs in the firing line but also batteries and semiconductors, two critical components of electric cars, have had 25 and 50 per cent tariffs imposed respectively.Chinese electric cars are now effectively shut out of the United States just at the time many brands are about to go on an aggressive global expansion.Europe could follow in the US footsteps if its investigation into Chinese state-owned automakers finds that the government's investment into carmakers is causing artificially low prices.China has aggressive manufacturing targets and it needs to keep its factories running and that pent up supply needs to go somewhere else… like Australia.This year alone, six Chinese car brands have committed to launching here soon including GAC, JAC, Leapmotor, Skywell, Xpeng and Zeekr. Car making giant Geely, which owns Polestar and Volvo, has also been looking for senior executives in Sydney, which would foreshadow another imminent arrival.This gaggle of brands will join BYD, Chery, GWM, LDV and MG in Australia.Those five already here have established a firm foothold, with MG a top 10 seller and GWM knocking on the door.China has leapfrogged Korea and is now the third biggest exporter of cars to Australia behind Japan and Thailand, the latter is where most dual-cab utes are built.Australia’s New Vehicle Emissions Standards (NVES), which passed through parliament this week, makes us an even tastier target for Chinese EV makers.The new standards fine car brands for every vehicle they sell over a certain level of emissions, but this can be offset by selling electric or low-emissions vehicles.This will roughly translate to more expensive petrol and diesel cars, which will make cut-price Chinese electric cars more appetising to consumers.Many Chinese car brands are armed with a war chest of cash and resources to take on the world’s established players.The boss of Xpeng’s Australian importer Jason Clarke told CarsGuide the Chinese maker is set up for success.“Their market cap is US$10 billion. I read they have six billion in cash ready to deploy, they’ve got their own tech stack, they’ve got 3000 people in R&D and 800 in AI. They want to be a major player globally in EVs and I think they’re set-up to do it,” he said.The Chinese companies also have the manufacturing capacity to blow the competition out of the water.Kia and Hyundai have both struggled to get as many EVs as they need, Volkswagen has yet to bring an electric car to market and Toyota’s first electric vehicle has so-far failed to excite.Tesla has enough supply to meet demand because its Australian bound vehicles are built in China.Volvo is owned by Chinese company Geely and the local arm’s boss Stephen Connor told CarsGuide recently it saves five per cent on tariffs importing from China compared to Europe thanks to a free trade agreement.“Plus, thanks to Chinese production (for models like the recently released EX30) we’re three weeks away from build to showroom whereas Europe is six to nine weeks. “We can get an increase in volume within three to four weeks,” he said.This makes Chinese brands more nimble and cheaper to get on Australian roads than any other EVs on sale.