2024 BYD Dolphin electric hatch now cheaper

BYD Australia has scraped $2000 off the asking price of the 2024 BYD Dolphin in an attempt to arrest sliding sales of the small electric hatchback.

The revised pricing sees the 2024 BYD Dolphin Dynamic now start from $36,890 plus on-road costs and the Premium from $42,890 plus ORCs.

However, the price cuts are not big for the BYD Dolphin to regain its crown as Australia cheapest EV from the GWM Ora, which is priced from $35,990 drive-away.

The Dolphin price reductions come just days after the Chinese auto band updated its BYD Atto3 and simultaneously shaved more than $3500 from the asking prices of both variants of the pioneering mid-size electric SUV.

At the time, BYD Australia indicated there could be more price cuts to come – most likely for the Seal electric sedan, which has thus far proved a hit with Aussie consumers.

According to official VFACTS data, Dolphin sales have been steadily decreasing so far this year, when 256 units were delivered in January 2024, followed by 219 in February, 213 in March, 181 in April and 175 in May, despite the overall new-vehicle market strengthening so far this year.

The Dolphin is still comfortably out-selling the GWM Ora in terms of year-to-date sales (1044 versus 478), but neither of them are close to rivalling the MG4, which has chalked up 2376 deliveries this year as of May 31.

Overall, EV sales remain almost 27 per cent up in 2024 following a five per cent decline in April due mostly to a drop-off in deliveries of Tesla vehicles.

Likewise, BYD sales are up 67 per cent so far this year thanks largely to the Seal, despite a near 28 per cent reduction in Atto 3 registrations and the continued decline in Dolphin sales.

To quickly recap, the Dolphin Dynamic features a 44.1kWh battery pack and a 70kW/180Nm electric motor that combine for a WLTP range of up to 340km.

The more expensive Dolphin Premium ups the ante with a 60.48kWh battery, more powerful 150kW/310Nm motor, longer 427km WLTP driving range and faster DC charging rate (80kW v 60kW).

No changes have been made to the mechanical or equipment details of either Dolphin variant.

How much does the 2024 BYD Dolphin cost?
Dynamic – $36,890 (-$2000)
Premium – $42,890 (-$2000)
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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