097 - BYD Boss talks 2026 in Australia and the new Atto 1
About this episode
Trevor Long and Stephen Fennig dive into the recent launch of BYD's Atto 1 and Atto 2, discussing their competitive pricing and positioning in the Australian EV market. They chat with BYD Australia's COO, Stephen Collins, about the brand's rapid growth and plans for 2026. The Atto 1 aims to provide an affordable electric option for city driving, while the Atto 2 targets families. The episode highlights the importance of customer experience and local adaptation in a competitive landscape filled with new EV entrants.
BYD Addo One
"But Stephen, like this is aggressive. Now, the Addo One is a fascinating car because it's a nice compact hatchback. But for real perspective on this, this is exciting for a very important reason."
The BYD Addo One is a small electric car made by a company called BYD. It's important because it's one of the first electric cars that costs about the same as a regular petrol car, making it easier for people to choose electric.
The BYD Addo One is a compact hatchback electric vehicle from BYD, a major Chinese automaker known for its electric cars and batteries. It represents a shift towards more affordable electric vehicles, making them more accessible to consumers.
parity on pricing
"But for real perspective on this, this is exciting for a very important reason. This is the first time we have come anywhere near parity on pricing between petrol and electric cars."
Parity on pricing means that electric cars and regular petrol cars cost about the same. This is important because it helps more people consider buying electric cars instead of petrol ones.
Parity on pricing refers to the situation where the costs of electric vehicles and petrol vehicles are similar, making it easier for consumers to choose between them. This is significant as it can lead to increased adoption of electric vehicles.
Kia Picanto
"... when I think compact hatchback. They are the Kia Picanto, the Toyota Yaris and the Mazda 2. You might argu..."
Toyota Yaris
"But without question, there's three cars that come to mind when I think compact hatchback. They are the Kia Picanto, the Toyota Yaris and the Mazda 2."
The Toyota Yaris is a small, affordable car that's good on gas and easy to drive around town.
The Toyota Yaris is a subcompact hatchback that offers practicality and efficiency, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious buyers.
drive away price
"But the Mazda 2 starts at about $28,999. Drive away price. The Toyota Yaris, drive away price $32,790."
Drive away price is the final amount you pay to take a car home, covering everything like taxes and fees.
Drive away price refers to the total cost of purchasing a vehicle, including all fees and taxes, allowing the buyer to drive the car off the lot without any additional payments.
on-road costs
"But if you say roughly a Kia Picanto is $3,500 for the on-road costs, then the Addo 1 at $23,990..."
On-road costs are the extra expenses you have to pay to make a car legal to drive, like registration and insurance.
On-road costs include all expenses associated with getting a vehicle ready for use on public roads, such as registration, insurance, and any applicable taxes.
compact car
"...for people who were keen to buy an EV was price, right? And also the class of car they want to buy, in this case a compact car, a smaller car."
A compact car is a small car that is easy to drive and park, usually saving you money on gas.
A compact car is a small vehicle designed to be efficient and easy to maneuver, typically offering better fuel economy and lower costs than larger vehicles.
BYD
"That's what BYDs do. They go, we want for every person that has a budget for a car, we want to have one that's under that budget, right?"
BYD is a car brand from China that makes electric cars. They aim to provide options for people with different budgets.
BYD is a Chinese automotive manufacturer known for producing electric vehicles and batteries. The company focuses on creating affordable options for consumers across various budget ranges.
range
"Now, the biggest criticism you could objectively make of these cars, especially the Auto 1, is range. The Auto 1 has a range of between 220 and 320 kilometers, right?"
Range is how far an electric car can go before it needs to be charged again. It's important to know because it affects how you can use the car.
In the context of electric vehicles, 'range' refers to the distance a vehicle can travel on a single charge. It's a critical factor for consumers when considering electric cars, as it affects usability and convenience.
battery
"That's because it's a small car with a small battery. Smaller battery, yeah."
The battery in an electric car is what stores the energy to make it run. A smaller battery means the car can go less distance before needing to charge.
In electric vehicles, the battery stores energy that powers the electric motor. The size and capacity of the battery directly influence the vehicle's range and performance.
Toyota Corolla
"...I don't think she does. But Gail owns a Toyota Corolla."
The Toyota Corolla is a small car that is very reliable and good on gas. It's a popular choice for people who are buying their first car because it's easy to drive and maintain.
The Toyota Corolla is a compact car known for its reliability and fuel efficiency. It's often recommended as a great first car for new drivers due to its affordability and ease of use.
charging
"...because you're either charging it at a tenth of the price of petrol overnight."
Charging is how you fill up the battery of an electric car, similar to how you would fill up a gas tank, but instead, you plug it in to get power.
Charging refers to the process of replenishing the battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle, typically done using a home charging station or public charging points.
BYD Addo 1
"...for people who had no option before. The Addo. Good on BYD for creating that option. The Addo 1 makes sense to me."
The BYD Addo 1 is a type of electric car made by a company called BYD. They make cars that run on electricity instead of gasoline, which is better for the environment.
The BYD Addo 1 is an electric vehicle produced by the Chinese automaker BYD, known for its focus on electric mobility and sustainable transportation solutions.
BYD C-Line 7
"the Seale, the C-Line 7. Yeah. The Addo 1."
The BYD C-Line 7 is a different model of car from BYD, also focusing on electric technology and modern design.
The BYD C-Line 7 is another model from BYD, showcasing the company's commitment to producing a range of electric vehicles with different designs and features.
Toyota Yaris Gr
"on the wheels. If anyone's seen the Toyota Yaris GR which is a legitimate sports car,"
The Toyota GR Yaris is a sportier version of the regular Yaris car, built for speed and fun driving. It has a powerful engine and special features that make it great for racing and enjoying the road, which is why car lovers really like it.
The Toyota GR Yaris is a high-performance version of the standard Yaris, designed specifically for rally racing and sports driving. It features a turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, and a lightweight body, making it a standout in the hot hatch segment. Its significance lies in its motorsport heritage and the excitement it brings to driving enthusiasts.
Hyundai I20N
"but mate, the appeal of the Hyundai i20N, the i30N of a sporty version of a hatchback."
The Hyundai i20 N is a sporty version of the regular i20 hatchback. It has upgrades that make it faster and more fun to drive compared to the standard model.
The Hyundai i20 N is a performance-oriented version of the i20 hatchback, featuring sport-tuned suspension, a turbocharged engine, and aggressive styling. It's part of Hyundai's N performance line, aimed at driving enthusiasts.
Hyundai i30 N
"the i30N of a sporty version of a hatchback."
The Hyundai i30 N is a sporty version of the i30 hatchback. It has a powerful engine and special features that make it more exciting to drive than the regular i30.
The Hyundai i30 N is a high-performance hatchback that offers a blend of practicality and sportiness. It features a turbocharged engine, sport-tuned suspension, and various performance enhancements, making it a strong contender in the hot hatch market.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
"you know, your Golf GTI. They would be mad because of those lines and that style to not come out with a souped up version."
The Golf GTI is a sportier version of the regular Volkswagen Golf. It's designed to be more fun to drive, with a more powerful engine and better handling.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is a performance-oriented variant of the standard Golf hatchback, known for its sporty handling and turbocharged engine. It's popular among enthusiasts for its balance of practicality and fun driving experience.
BYD Shark 6
"...The BYD Shark 6 is going well."
The BYD Shark 6 is another electric car from BYD that is selling well. It's part of their effort to provide more options for electric vehicle buyers.
The BYD Shark 6 is another model from BYD that is performing well in the market, contributing to the brand's growing reputation in the electric vehicle sector.
electric vehicles
"and the sharpest pricing we've ever seen for electric vehicles."
Electric vehicles are cars that run on electricity instead of gas. They are better for the environment because they don't produce exhaust fumes.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are cars that are powered by electricity instead of gasoline or diesel, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional vehicles.
BYD Atto 3
"...you launched with the Atto 3 which out of the box was just an unbelievable car because it was..."
The BYD Atto 3 is a new electric car from a Chinese company called BYD. It's designed to be stylish and packed with technology, making it a strong competitor in the electric vehicle market.
The BYD Atto 3 is an electric SUV produced by the Chinese automaker BYD. It features modern technology and design, aimed at competing in the growing electric vehicle market.
electric vehicle (EV)
"...it's Australia's most affordable EV"
An electric vehicle, or EV, is a car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. This means it produces no exhaust emissions and is often better for the environment.
An electric vehicle (EV) is a type of vehicle that is powered entirely or partially by electricity, using electric motors instead of traditional internal combustion engines.
Hyundai Elantra
"...of the Hyundai Elantra and they were selling in big numbers..."
The Hyundai Elantra is a small car that many people buy because it's affordable and has good features. It's been updated many times to make it better.
The Hyundai Elantra is a compact car that has been popular for its affordability and features. It has undergone several generations of redesigns since its introduction, improving in quality and technology over the years.
wiring harness
"...wiring, harness, compatibility with Tesla Chargers it was..."
A wiring harness is like a bundle of wires that connects different parts of a car to help them work together. It's important for the car's electrical systems to function correctly.
A wiring harness is a collection of wires, connectors, and terminals that transmit electrical power and signals in a vehicle. It plays a crucial role in connecting various electrical components, ensuring they function properly.
Tesla Chargers
"...couldn't charge it Tesla's new model superchargers..."
Tesla Chargers are special charging stations made for Tesla cars. They help charge the car's battery quickly, especially when you're on a long drive.
Tesla Chargers refer to the network of charging stations designed specifically for Tesla electric vehicles. These chargers provide high-speed charging capabilities, allowing Tesla owners to recharge their vehicles quickly during long trips.
Lexus
"...which is their Lexus to Toyota there's a BYD..."
Lexus is a brand that makes luxury cars and is part of Toyota. They focus on making high-end vehicles that are very comfortable and packed with features.
Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Toyota, known for its high-quality cars that emphasize comfort, performance, and advanced technology.
Tesla Model Y
"...em in the middle the auto was sort of against the Model Y the seal was against the 3"
The Tesla Model Y is a type of electric car that looks like a small SUV. It's known for being very high-tech and can drive long distances on a single charge, which makes it a favorite for people who want to use less gas and help the environment.
The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric compact SUV that shares many components with the Model 3 sedan. It is significant for its impressive range, advanced technology, and performance, making it a popular choice among electric vehicle enthusiasts. The Model Y's spacious interior and versatility also contribute to its appeal in the growing SUV market.
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