BYD Atto 1 Essential holds at $19,990 drive-away until 15 December, but the discount is designed to end

The campaign and what changed

The BYD Atto 1 Essential is currently Australia's cheapest new car at $19,990 drive-away, a promotional price that CarExpert reported in mid-September as the first time an electric vehicle has held that title outright, undercutting even the petrol-powered Kia Picanto micro-hatch. Before the campaign, the Atto 1 Essential was priced at $23,990 before on-road costs, which CarExpert calculated as roughly $26,993 drive-away based on a Sydney postcode. ⁶

BYD Australia chief operating officer Stephen Collins framed the cut in the announcement quoted by CarExpert: "At a time when Australian families are carefully considering every household expense, we're committed to making vehicle ownership more attainable." He added that the Atto 1 at $19,990 drive-away demonstrates a commitment "to delivering outstanding value without compromising on technology, safety or quality." ⁶

The campaign dates are set out on the official BYD dealer offers page: orders between 15 September and 15 December 2026, delivery by 31 December 2026, with metallic paint available at an additional cost. CarExpert reported metallic paint as a $500 option. The terms state the offer is exclusive to retail customers, excludes demonstrators and transactions involving other promotions, and that BYD cannot guarantee delivery within the promotional period, reviewing late deliveries case by case. ³⁶

The specs behind the price

According to CarExpert, the Atto 1 Essential uses a 30kWh lithium iron phosphate battery powering a 65kW/175Nm front-mounted electric motor, with total WLTP range of 220km and a maximum DC fast-charge rate of 65kW. Cartell's ranking of the cheapest new cars notes a six-year, 150,000km warranty and observes that the range suits city and suburban driving rather than regular country trips, while home charging on an overnight tariff makes it the cheapest car on its list to run. ⁶¹

Standard equipment listed by CarExpert includes 15-inch steel wheels in Hankook tyres, keyless entry and start, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leatherette upholstery, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, front, front-side and curtain airbags, plus a reversing camera and rear parking sensors. ⁶

The deal applies only to the entry grade. CarExpert notes the Atto 1 Premium remains on sale at $27,990 before on-road costs, bringing more equipment, a larger battery with more range and a more powerful motor. BYD chief product officer Sajid Hasan told CarExpert that "the majority of our customers actually did step up to the Premium." ⁴

Executives signal the price will revert

BYD Australia has indicated the discount is temporary. Chief product officer Sajid Hasan told CarExpert the campaign is "only short-term, so come the first of January, the [Atto 1's original] price point will come back," describing it as a way to "test the price elasticity in the segment." Asked to confirm whether the original $23,990 plus on-roads would be reinstated, chief operating officer Stephen Collins replied "yeah, I think so," CarExpert reported. Both executives also said BYD does not expect much long-term residual impact for early buyers, though Hasan acknowledged sellers would likely see an impact if selling now. ⁴

CarExpert's reporting places this in the context of Chinese brands repeatedly extending advertised discount end dates, citing the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid's $34,990 drive-away EOFY price continuing past its June 30 end date, and similar quiet extensions by GWM and MG on PHEV drive-away deals. CarExpert notes BYD has also extended previous discounts, but typically changes incentive structures when doing so rather than leaving them unchanged. Whether this campaign is extended, modified or allowed to lapse on 15 December remains unstated by the brand. ⁴

The competitive context at the bottom of the market

Cartell's cheapest-new-cars guide, with prices checked against brand websites on 29 September 2026, places the Atto 1 Essential level with the MG3 Vibe at $19,990 drive-away, but explains the MG3 reaches that figure only via a $1,000 cashback ending 30 September; without it, MG's drive-away price is $20,990, still the cheapest petrol car. OzBargain's deal listing for the Atto 1, posted on 15 September, likewise described the MG3 Vibe at $20,990 drive-away. Both undercut the Kia Picanto Sport manual, which CarExpert puts at $19,190 before on-road costs, equivalent to a drive-away price above $22,000. ¹⁵⁶

Cartell notes the Atto 1's rival set has grown since its late-2025 local launch, naming the Geely EX2 from $26,490 before on-roads, the MG4 EV Urban launched at $31,990 drive-away and currently $29,990 drive-away, and the GAC Aion UT at the same launch price. It also lists BYD's own Dolphin Essential at $28,888 drive-away on a campaign running to 15 December, and the new Atto 2 DM-i Essential at $25,990 drive-away as a launch offer for orders by 15 December. CarExpert separately reports the Atto 2 DM-i is priced from $24,990 before on-road costs, making it Australia's cheapest PHEV, with no incentives attached so far. ¹⁴

Availability, delivery terms and BYD's wider campaign round

The same dealer offers page shows related December-length campaigns: the Dolphin Essential at $28,888 drive-away for orders between 15 September and 15 December 2026 with delivery by 31 December, and the Atto 2 DM-i Essential launch offer at $25,990 drive-away for orders between 24 September and 15 December 2026, also with delivery by 31 December. Both carry the same retail-customer exclusivity, demonstrator exclusion and non-guaranteed delivery conditions as the Atto 1 campaign. A separate OzBargain listing for the Dolphin deal flagged inconsistent key dates on that listing itself, so buyers should confirm dates directly with a dealer. ³⁷

The Atto 1 and Dolphin campaigns cannot be combined with the separate 5% novated lease discount on eligible BYD models, which the offers page states runs for orders between 1 and 30 September 2026 with delivery by 31 October, applies to the base list price and excludes registration, CTP, stamp duty, dealer delivery and statutory charges. Separately, zecar's deals roundup published on 21 September describes the Atto 1 offer as worth up to $7,204 in savings against the prior drive-away price, a figure specific to that outlet. ³²

For scale, CarExpert reports BYD has delivered 3838 Atto 1s so far this year, outsold by the pricier Atto 2 small SUV by more than two-to-one, and that the brand is number two year-to-date behind Toyota. It notes BYD claims to have opened an average of one new sales and service centre per week since last October and plans more than 150 dealerships nationwide by the end of 2027; OzBargain's deal post, citing BYD, framed the 150-dealer milestone as an end-of-2026 target. ⁶⁵