BYD Australia sales data delayed to next month
Chinese electric-car brand BYD has delayed the release of its sales figures until next month, three months after local deliveries began, as it works through a vehicle compliance issue with federal regulators.
Chinese electric-car specialist BYD has delayed its first round of local sales data until next month at the earliest – three months after deliveries began – amid a pause on deliveries to address a breach of Australian vehicle compliance rules.
BYD and its Australian distributor EVDirect told Drive last month the first sales figures would be published in the October 2022 VFACTS industry new-car sales report, released today – after deliveries commenced on September 2.
However, this did not eventuate – and BYD has told Drive it now plans to release its data in next month's sales report, released early December (covering November 2022 data).
The delay in releasing sales data comes as BYD and EVDirect address concerns raised by Australian motor vehicle regulators to resolve a breach in compliance for its Atto 3 small SUV, related to a child-restraint top-tether mounting point for the centre rear seat.
Atto 3 deliveries have been on hold for two weeks as BYD and Australian authorities work on a solution. Reports on social media suggest customers have been advised of another stop-delivery notice, however this is yet to be verified.
Before deliveries began in September, EVDirect said it had attracted 4500 orders for the Atto 3 – and had access to production capacity for up to 3000 cars per month.
Last month, 2098 electric vehicles were reported as sold in Australia – 1109 of which were Teslas, across 33 examples of the Model 3 sedan and 1076 examples of the Model Y SUV.