Delivery of BYD Atto 3 electric vehicles (EVs) are being halted for another week from October 28 due to technical compliance violations.
This latest development follows a suspend delivery for seven days from October 21 to the still unresolved issue, regarding the car’s central child seat fastening point.
BYD Automotive and its Australian distributor, EVDirect, confirmed the additional delay with a bulletin to customers awaiting delivery of their vehicles. Atto 3said it was still working with the Department of Infrastructure and Transport to resolve the “technical issue”.
It is important to note that the department has previously approved the vehicle class (MA) for the Atto 3.
“BYD along with our distributor EVDirect have been actively working with the relevant Department to resolve the technical issue,” the company said in its latest customer email, as seen CarExpert.
“With the full support of BYD China, all requested information is being prepared for submission to the Bureau.”
“While we are confident of a solution, we will continue to respect and work with the Department to ensure a speedy resolution.”
The current technical issue revolves around the lack of an easily accessible child seat top tether point for the rear middle row, which violates the Australian Design Code for five-seater vehicles.
Forum users have noted the Atto 3 has a provision for a central anchor below the carpet, but the ADR 34 requires it to be more accessible based on the wording.
This is also the design rule that makes Honda Australia classify its new car HR VUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU as a four-seater earlier this year.
The companies said they look forward to the delivery proposal “as soon as possible”.
Before suspending delivery, EVDirect sent a notice “Urgent notice “for Atto 3 owners” so as not to install a child safety seat in the rear middle row.
BYD Australia’s importer also told owners it was “in the process of resolving this issue and will provide you with a further update soon”, but there is no detailed plan yet to fix the breach. on the vehicles that have been delivered.
Atto 3 did not receive a five-star ANCAP crash rating in Australia at the same time as an apparent ADR violation was reported, despite having done so in New Zealand and Europe following the same NCAP protocols.
The BYD Atto 3 sold in Australia has yet to be rated, with ANCAP at the time of publication saying it was “working with BYD to finalize the applicability of the rating to Australian-designated models”.
“BYD Australia is in the process of resolving the issue and will provide you with the next update soon,” the crash tester said at the time.
This is not the first obvious teething problem for BYD Australia and EVDirect.
In September BYD distributor in Australia replied to criticism of its warranty and service programs.
Many people who ordered the BYD Atto 3 criticized the importer for the unusual warranty waiver, which led to nearly 1500 people Sign a petition on Change.org to seek warranty with less conditions.
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THAN: BYD Atto 3’s deliveries to customers are halted due to rule violations
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