BYD Atto 3 importer EV Direct has announced that it has inked a deal to expand into Fiji, becoming one of the first electric vehicle sellers on the market there.
Heading the EV Direct lineup in Fiji will be the BYD Atto 3, which will join the MG ZS EV in Fiji introduced in May (according to local news site FBC News).
Notably, both are already the most affordable electric cars on the Australia car market, priced around $A45,000.
BYD Atto 3 pricing for Fiji has not yet been announced by EV Direct, but it is understood the MG ZS EV is sold by Palas Group in Fiji from $FJ85,000 (abour $A55,755) – The Driven has contacted the Palas Group to confirm.
No doubt EV Direct will seek to lay down a competitive price to match the ZS EV, however.
General manager of BYD Australia, Wing You said of EV Direct’s expansion into Fiji that “BYD is proud to partner with EV Direct on the back of their successful relationship in Australia to provide a wide range of electric vehicles to Fiji consumer and fleet buyers.”
The importer says it will seek to replicate the retail experience model it is currently rolling out in Australia, supported by a network of maintenance and service centres.
Actual sales volume is likely to be small fry in the bigger picture. Auto sales in Fiji typically ranges between 2,000-3,000 cars per annum, with compact SUVs making up about 15% of the market.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.