BYD Atto 3 for sale at dealers, not just online

Australian buyers of the 2022 BYD Atto 3 that’s now available to order ahead of first deliveries due in July this year will have the reassurance of a national dealership network backing them if they take the plunge in the little-known Chinese electric car brand.

To date, BYD has only offered an online purchasing arrangement through the EVDirect sales portal set up by independent importer Nexport.

It had also previously said it would offer servicing, maintenance and repair services through the mycar network (previously Kmart Tyre & Auto).

Driven exclusively in Shanghai by carsales earlier this week, the BYD Atto 3 is the Chinese car-maker’s first full-time model and stands as one of the cheapest EVs on sale in Australia at $44,381 plus on-road costs.

Now, a deal forged with Eagers Automotive will see a new dealer group established in which Eagers will have a 49 per cent stake and hold the franchise agreement for at least five years.

Outlet numbers are still to be confirmed, but the largely bricks-and-mortar network will hand BYD a solid platform from which to launch itself into the Aussie market, starting initially with the Atto 3 but following with other models including a compact hatch based on the BYD EA1 (or Dolphin, as it’s also known).

In Australia, the EA1 could be renamed Atto 1, while Eagers confirmed today that the BYD portfolio would increase to six models by the end of 2023.

Nexport also boldly asserted that BYD expected to become one of the top five best-selling automotive brands in Australia “in the next 18 months”.

In a statement issued to the ASX, Eagers said the company will leverage its “retail expertise, scale, geographic diversity, flexible property portfolio and innovative omnichannel retail solutions including integrated digital experiences available online and in shopping centres, service factories and existing physical retail footprint”.

“We are very excited to be the retail partner for BYD Australia and EVdirect.com as they enter the Australian market,” said Eagers Automotive CEO Keith Thornton.

“BYD has clear ambitions to quickly grow its presence in Australia and increase EV penetration amongst Australian customers.

“This confirms Eagers Automotive at the forefront of Australia’s transition to a cleaner vehicle future and recognises our national footprint, geographic diversity, retail expertise and commitment to providing innovative solutions for the future of automotive retail.”

Nexport boss Luke Todd said Eagers will “provide the foundation for BYD Australia to fast-track its expansion in the Australian market”.

“BYD has an aspiration to grow into a top five automotive brand in Australia by sales volume in the next 18 months,” said Todd.

“BYD’s EVs are known for leading-edge technology, superior range and pricing that is on parity with comparable high-quality petrol vehicles, making them ideally suited to the Australian market.”

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au