Tesla-matching sedan and budget hatch here late next year; but no word on SUV and utility promised our neighbour.

COMPLETE local market replication of Chinese electric car maker BYD’s bullish plan for Australia is unclear, but two core models cited in our neighbour’s strategy are to be shared.

However, whereas our neighbour yesterday announced intent to introduce by 2024 five new models – including a utility – additional to the Atto 3 sports utility now here, the New Zealand manager for the brand will so far only comment on his commitment to two and is tight-lipped about others.

Asked about the relevance of the Australia market gameplan to New Zealand, Warren Willmot said the only commitment here next year is to two cited cars additional to the Atto 3 selling in both countries.

The Atto 2 and Atto 4 are respectively known in China as the Dolphin and the Seal.

Seen as a rival for the Tesla Model 3, the Seal/Atto 4 is a sedan going on sale in China this week.

The Dolphin/Atto 2 is cited as being roughly the size of a Toyota Yaris and might position as NZ’s cheapest new electric vehicle, if pricing suggested for Australia replicates here. The potential stickers there range from $33,000 to $36,000.

“BYD Auto New Zealand plans to bring two new models to market in Q3 next year, the ATTO 2 and ATTO 4,” said Willmot, whose franchise is part of the Ateco Automotive enterprise.

That doesn’t mean the others cited for Australia are emphatically off the schedule, apparently.

However, in addition to citing that “BYD Auto NZ does not comment on models which may or may not be brought to our market more than 12 months in advance” Wilmott also said his operation also “assesses all models available in production (and planned) for right-hand drive markets based on what is suitable for the New Zealand public and our dealer network.

“As New Zealand is able to homologate cars from various source markets our offerings may differ from Australia.” He suggested our neighbour having to adhere to Australian Design Rules also might have influence.

The NZ release timing for the Dolphin Seal is behind Australia’s. The distributor there, EVDirect, says it will have those cars in the first half of 2023, with pre-orders for both commencing by the end of 2022.

Also in EVDirect’s sights are an electric dual-cab ute and a larger electric SUV. The latter which may wear the Sea Lion name in China, is likely aimed at the Tesla Model Y.

The yet-to-be-revealed BYD ute – currently in development – is also a possibility for Australia, according to EVDirect principal Luke Todd.

“We love the ute. We have a product that's been in development for some time,” he told a media event in Brisbane.

“We will hold back on announcing actual timing, but what I can say is when the BYD electric ute does come to the country, it will be a game-changer.

“It's coming. I know it's coming. There's a whole factory prepping to build this thing.”

Asked about how many Atto 3s have made it here, Willmot responded: “BYD Auto NZ has secured a consistent monthly supply of vehicles.

“It is our expectation anyone who wants to order an ATTO 3 now or over the next few weeks should be able to expect delivery before the end of the year. “Our biggest challenge is not production, it’s shipping space availability. Luckily Ateco Group is very experienced with logistics from China so we are well equipped to navigate these challenges.”