So I did a very generic statement. The Atto 1 is indeed quite cheap, but it’s not exactly a best-seller (they recently dropped the price by 4kAUD, or nearly 20% off). In fact, basically none of the “cheap” EVs (Geely EX2, GWM Ora, etc) are selling in great numbers, and that was my point. So in my example, Australians “turn up their noses” at the Atto 1 because there are too many compromises. Despite the price, it’s Australia’s 10th best selling EV. People would rather spend a bit more and get an MG4 or an Atto 2 / 3.
To some extent, EVs in Australia are going so well right now because they’ve hit a “Luxe” threshold, where you get an EV with luxury features for the same price or a bit less than the equivalent Petrol car. Put another way, it’s not that the Atto 1 is cheap, it’s that no one is selling a Petrol car in Australia which is cheaper because Australians just won’t touch it.
That’s not true, Australia has a small BYD Atto 1 for $A20k ($14kUSD) and that’s with taxes, there are no ICE vehicles for that price.
So I did a very generic statement. The Atto 1 is indeed quite cheap, but it’s not exactly a best-seller (they recently dropped the price by 4kAUD, or nearly 20% off). In fact, basically none of the “cheap” EVs (Geely EX2, GWM Ora, etc) are selling in great numbers, and that was my point. So in my example, Australians “turn up their noses” at the Atto 1 because there are too many compromises. Despite the price, it’s Australia’s 10th best selling EV. People would rather spend a bit more and get an MG4 or an Atto 2 / 3.
To some extent, EVs in Australia are going so well right now because they’ve hit a “Luxe” threshold, where you get an EV with luxury features for the same price or a bit less than the equivalent Petrol car. Put another way, it’s not that the Atto 1 is cheap, it’s that no one is selling a Petrol car in Australia which is cheaper because Australians just won’t touch it.