2022 BYD Atto 3 deliveries delayed by up to two months
Supply chain slowdowns have hit Chinese electric car brand BYD, pushing its hotly-anticipated Atto 3 back to late August or September – but more production is on the way.
First deliveries of the 2022 BYD Atto 3 electric SUV have been delayed, as its maker – and local importer EVDirect – are hit by ongoing production and shipping disruptions.
Initially slated to begin in July, deliveries of the Atto 3 have been "pushed back" by "approximately six to eight weeks", BYD customers were advised by EVDirect late last week – suggesting first hand-overs as soon as mid-August, or as far as late September.
Test drives – previously scheduled to begin in June – have been pushed back by a similar time period. Importer EVDirect has at least one right-hand-drive Atto 3 on local soil, however though seemingly only for media evaluation purposes.
"It is well publicised that the global automotive industry as a whole is under pressure from a range of supply chain issues and logistics disruptions. While BYD’s model provides robust protection from many of these challenges, regrettably we have been impacted by the current holistic industry conditions," EVDirect's message to customers reads.
"Despite our best efforts to minimise the impact on our customers, test drives and initial deliveries will be pushed back by approximately six to eight weeks."
For buyers in the queue – and those looking to place an order – EVDirect claims right-hand-drive Atto 3 production will ramp up from August, as a supply of parts is maintained.
"While we apologise to customers for this date alteration, we are delighted to confirm that production of Australian BYD Atto 3s has commenced and we have secured increased dedicated production capacity to enable a steady supply of vehicles into the Australian market commencing from August 2022," EVDirect adds.
"Our team will contact you in the coming weeks to provide you with an update regarding your individual vehicle and begin preparations for its delivery process. We continue to work around the clock to minimise the delivery times."
For orders placed as of publishing, the company's website continues to list an estimated delivery date of September 2022 for all Atto 3 configurations except a red Extended Range, which quotes October.
BYD Australia claimed last week it has received more than 3000 orders for the Atto 3 since order books opened in February – enough to make it Australia's best-selling electric car without a Tesla badge, if those cars are all delivered this year.
There have been no changes to pricing, which starts from $44,381 plus on-road costs for the Standard Range (or $44,990 drive-away in Tasmania), or $47,381 plus on-road costs for the Extended Range.
Alongside confirmation of the delays, EVDirect told customers details of the locations of further BYD Experience Centres and delivery points would be announced "in the coming days". Drive has contacted the company for more details.
"Customers will be provided with the opportunity to take delivery of their new Atto 3 at the dedicated location of your choice. Customers will also be offered the choice of home delivery with a virtual handover option, with a delivery fee to apply," the importer said.
EVDirect last week finalised a deal with large Australian dealer group Eagers Automotive to display and sell BYD vehicles – complementing, not replacing, online ordering on the EVDirect website, and EVDirect's BYD Experience Centres, the first of which is in Sydney.
Servicing will be conducted through Eagers Automotive dealers, as well as the Mycar (formerly Kmart Tyre and Auto) network, as previously announced.
"The new multi-format retail network will deliver major benefits for our customers including a further enhanced digital sales experience (both online and in-store) as well as a more personalised vehicle handover and a comprehensive after-sales support service spanning a national network of parts and service locations," EVDirect told customers.
In addition, an "enhanced customer support experience" will become available from "early August", with an "Australia-wide BYD Customer Care Centre including a call centre located in Brisbane, Australia".