Flipping hell! Interest in sub-$30K BYD Dolphin ‘through the roof’ as newcomer sizes up Toyota Corolla, Mazda3

January 31, 2025January 30, 2025 Toby Hagon 687 Views 0 Comments BYD, Dolphin

BYD says interest in the sub-$30K Dolphin electric hatchback is booming following the introduction of a price leading Essential model weeks ago.

The chairman and managing director of BYD Australia importer EVDirect, Luke Todd, says enquiry has risen sharply for what is now the cheapest new electric car on the market – and a car that is undercutting other compact hatchbacks such as the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3.

“The level of interest has gone through the roof,” said Todd at an event this week, where he also described 2025 as the “defining year” for the still-young brand.

Since launching passenger cars in Australia in mid-2022, BYD has built a loyal following and enjoyed sales growth of 65 percent in 2024.

The company is shooting for 100 percent growth in 2025 – a doubling of sales – with plans to deliver up to 45,000 cars.

A key component of the planned growth is the Dolphin five-door hatch.

While its 2024 sales were modest – 2116, making it the slowest selling model in the BYD line-up – Todd says the introduction of the Essential model at a lower price point will transform its market success.

The BYD Dolphin Essential still comes generously equipped – and undercuts big name hatchbacks.

“We see that as a key segment,” he said. “The level of interest has given us enough confidence that it’s going to be one of our larger sellers.”

If BYD’s prediction of success with the Dolphin holds true it could continue an EV-led resurgence of the small car market.

Sales of small EVs almost doubled in 2024 and accounted for the bulk – 60 percent – of the growth in small car sales.

All up there were 92,964 small cars sold here last year and 7.5 percent of them were EVs (up from 6.9 percent in 2023).

Unlike the rival MG4 hatch that briefly had a $30,990 drive-away offer (it’s since crept up to $34,990), Todd says the $29,990 plus on-road costs starting price for the Dolphin is here to stay.

“It is not a discounted price, it is a locked-in price,” said Todd.

“We have no plans whatsoever to ever go above the $30K mark. It is new product designed for that segment of the market that wants to buy a good quality vehicle.”

As part of the unprecedented sales growth it is forecasting, BYD plans to significantly increase its dealer footprint throughout 2025.

“We will have upwards of 80 retail and service locations [by the end of 2025],” he said, which is almost double the 45-odd currently dotted around the country.

As well as major metropolitan centres BYD is planning to boost its regional footprint to better service those buying the all-important plug-in hybrid models such as the Shark 6 ute and Sealion 6 mid-sized SUV.