BYD’s Australian Discounts Test China’s Call for Pricing Restraint

Recent cuts make the Atto 1 Australia’s joint-cheapest new car and position the Atto 2 as the country’s lowest-priced plug-in hybrid, even as Chinese authorities urge automakers to avoid disruptive overseas competition.

Source: CarExpert2026-09-251 min read

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BYD has sharpened its Australian pricing, setting the electric Atto 1 at A$19,990 drive-away and announcing the Atto 2 plug-in hybrid from A$24,990 before on-road costs. The moves put the Atto 1 level with the MG 3 as Australia’s cheapest new vehicle and make the Atto 2 the market’s least expensive PHEV, replacing BYD’s Sealion 5 in that spot.

The discounts arrive after Chinese government guidance called on automakers to avoid aggressive overseas pricing and disruption to sales channels. BYD Australia says its offers are intended to improve value and broaden access to technology, while executives from Chery and industry advisers warn that deep, sustained discounting could squeeze margins, weaken resale values and strain dealer and after-sales support.

Chinese brands are also competing across other Australian segments: Chery is promoting the Tiggo 4, while GWM, JAC and BYD have all contended for the cheapest PHEV ute position. The wider market backdrop includes slowing sales growth in China and a greater reliance on exports; in Australia, EVs accounted for 24.9% of August 2026 new-vehicle sales, ahead of petrol and diesel models.

This is an original summary compiled and translated from the source below, not a direct translation of it.

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