Big BYD bargains: sweeping price cuts across most Australian line-up

BYD’s Australian range has received a substantial reset, with EVDirect implementing sizeable price reductions across passenger cars and SUVs – leaving only the Shark 6 ute untouched for now. The move lowers the cost of entry for several models and trims, with discounts running into the thousands of dollars on key variants.

What’s changed

• Dolphin: EVDirect introduced a new Essential trim at $29,990 MSRP, breaking the $30,000 barrier, while discontinuing the Dynamic trim (previously $36,890). The flagship Premium has been reduced from $42,890 to $36,990.
• Atto 3 (2025): A new entry-level Essential trim drops the starting price to $39,990 before on-road costs. The Standard trim ($44,990) has been removed, and the Premium now sits at $44,990 (down from $47,499). The Atto 3 Essential offers 77 kW DC charging, a smaller 12.8-inch touchscreen (vs 15.6-inch on higher grades), and omits features such as the sunroof, one-touch boot, roof rails and wireless device charging. It is marginally slower to 100 km/h and, with a 49.92 kWh battery, returns about 345 km on the WLTP cycle compared with the Premium’s 420 km.
• Seal (MY25): The Dynamic, Premium and Performance grades have been re-priced to $46,990 (down $2,898), $52,990 (down $2,808) and $61,990 (down $3,758) respectively.
• Sealion 6: The Dynamic now lists at $45,990 (down $3,000); the Premium remains at $52,990.
• Shark 6 ute: No price change – it is still listed at $57,900.

Minor feature upgrades

The new pricing accompanies modest specification and refinement updates across the range, including reportedly more responsive automated suspension, an electronic sunshade for the Seal’s panoramic roof, and BYD’s Intelligent Damping Body Control System applied to the Seal Performance model.

Why the cuts now?

Despite a slowdown in overall EV sales nationally, EVDirect says the reductions are driven by production efficiencies in China rather than weak demand. BYD’s Australian sales grew strongly in 2024 – up 64.5 per cent to 20,458 units – and the importer attributes the lower retail prices to scale and manufacturing advances that are bringing down per-unit costs.

EVDirect CEO David Smitherman framed the strategy around value and adoption: “By offering exceptional value without compromising on quality or innovation, we’re helping more drivers make the switch to sustainable transportation, driving a cleaner and greener future for Australia.”

A journalist’s note

Having visited BYD’s facilities in China, I observed at first hand the scale of production and vertical integration that support these price moves. As manufacturing efficiencies continue to mature, Australian buyers stand to benefit from improved price competitiveness and broader choice in the electric-vehicle market.

Conclusion

The latest BYD price reshuffle significantly narrows the entry point for several of the brand’s electric models in Australia, making EV ownership more attainable for price-sensitive buyers. While the Shark 6 ute remains unchanged, the new trims and savings across Dolphin, Atto 3, Seal and Sealion 6 will be worth watching for buyers comparing total cost of ownership and real-world range. Prospective purchasers should still factor in on-road costs, local availability and aftersales support, but for many motorists these adjustments materially improve the value proposition of BYD’s Australian range.

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