BYD claims Atto 3 is ‘comfortably the second largest selling EV’ in Australia

The importer of BYD EVs into Australia says early interest in the brand and its upcoming Atto 3 electric SUV has exceeded initial expectations.

EVdirect CEO Luke Todd says the reception to the compact-to-mid-sized electric SUV has been “outstanding” and that it is already holding many reservations, each apparently placing a $1000 deposit.

“Whether it’s sales volumes, whether it’s level of interest, level of enquiries, it’s been at least double what we’d hoped for and we’re thrilled with the response,” said Todd recently.

He declined to reveal exactly how many deposits had been taken or how many vehicles the company had hoped to sell at this early stages of its pre-sales campaign.

READ MORE: BYD Atto 3 coming soon – what we know so far

The only hint he gave was that the Atto 3 would be a volume player in the mostly niche EV space.

“Based on pre-orders we’re comfortably the second largest selling EV company in Australia,” he said, also confirming that based on Tesla’s 2021 Australian sales the company was still running well behind that.

To put that in perspective, Tesla last year had the top-selling EV in Australia with 12,094 sales. Sales of the Model 3 were more than double the combined total of the other 19 battery electric vehicles that were available in 2021.

Second best was the MG ZS EV – an updated version of which arrives in mid-2022 – and it sold a more modest 1388 vehicles.

Going on Todd’s claims, that means the company is already holding at least 1400 pre-orders.

EVdirect says it has invested in BYD’s Chinese production lines and can get significant volume of the Atto 3 if the demand is there.

Todd said BYD can supply between 1200 and 1500 cars per month.

The Atto 3 has a single electric motor driving the front wheels. With 150kW and 310Nm it’s claimed to hit 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.

The standard 50.1kWh battery is claimed to give 320km of WLTP range while the 60.4kWh version – which costs $3000 more – ups that to 420km.

It uses BYD’s in-house developed Blade battery that uses a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) construction that is similar to that used in the latest Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive.

All models come with 18-inch alloy wheels, fake leather seats, powered front seats, wireless phone charging, smart key entry and a panoramic sunroof. There’s also a 12.8-inch infotainment screen that can rotate through 90 degrees to switch from a portrait configuration to landscape. Safety systems include seven airbags, auto braking in forward and reverse and adaptive cruise control.

It’s covered by a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, although the battery warranty ceases after 160,000km.

The Atto 3 is priced from $44,990 drive-away – but only if you live in Tasmania.

In NSW it costs $47,110 before eligible buyers could claim $4332 in rebates and stamp duty exemptions.

In Victoria it is $47,131 before a potential $3000 rebate and in Queensland it is $45,984 before that state’s recently announced $3000 rebate.

That makes the Atto 3 the second most affordable EV in Australia, pipped only by the upcoming MG ZS EV (at $46,990 drive-away Australia-wide).

FULL DETAILS: Complete guide to rebates, discounts and incentives when buying an EV in Australia

Given the shortages and lengthy wait times on most new EVs currently on sale in Australia BYD’s imminent arrival could be perfectly timed and has the potential to soak up some sales that may otherwise have gone to other brands.

First examples of the Atto 3 are due in Australia around July and on the brand’s local website – which has some striking similarities to the Tesla website – it is claiming local delivery in August for people who place a deposit now.

BYD is also readying a smaller electric hatchback for Australia – expected to be called Atto 2 – which could arrive late in the year or early in 2023.

The company is still retailing through its EVdirect website but looks set to switch to a more traditional dealership model following a recent announcement by Australia’s largest dealer group Eagers Automotive.