Deliveries of the BYD Atto 3 electric car will be halted for at least a week from October 21 due to a technical compliance violation.
BYD Automotive and Australian distributor EVDirect sent a joint message to customers awaiting delivery of a new EV, saying they were in discussions with the transport and infrastructure department about a “technical issue”. .
The technical issue revolved around the lack of a top tether point of the child seat that is easily accessible for rear middle occupants – according to the Australian Design Rules for a vehicle classified as a five-seater.
“BYD and EVDIRECT are both working with the relevant Department on a technical issue. The issue concerns the use of a child seat if placed in the center of the rear middle row and properly positioned for an anchor point to be able to secure the child seat,” it said.
This is also the design rule that makes Honda Australia classify its new HR-V as a four-seater. this early year.
“BYD understands that for the vast majority of customers this may not be relevant, however, as safety is always our number one priority, we continue to work with the Department to meet its requirements. surname.
“BYD and the Department are working to resolve this issue to recommend deliveries as soon as possible,” the companies added.
The announcement added that the delivery stop notification will not affect people’s placement in the delivery queue.
Last weekend, EVDirect sent out an “urgent notice” to customers who had delivered, advising them not to install a child restraint in the rear middle seat of the Atto 3.
BYD Australia’s importer told customers it was “in the process of resolving this issue and will provide you with further updates soon”, but has yet to reveal a detailed plan to fix the issue. offense in cars on the road.
Earlier this month, Atto 3 did not receive a five-star ANCAP crash rating for Australia – despite doing so in New Zealand and Europe generally follow the same NCAP protocols.
Instead, the BYD Atto 3 sold in Australia has yet to be rated, which ANCAP said is currently “working with BYD to finalize the applicability of the rating to Australian-designated models”.
“BYD Australia is in the process of resolving this issue and will provide you with the next update soon,” the crash tester said at the time.
The 3-year BYD Atto (according to the spec sheet) doesn’t have an accessible upper center tether attachment – although it does have top laces and ISOFIX points on each of the outer seats.
Australia’s particularly harsh design rules state that any rear seat with a seat belt must have a top tether point for the child seat.
It has been noted on the forums Atto 3 there is a provision for a central anchorage below the carpet, but ADR 34 requires it to be more accessible based on the wording.
It is important to note that the department has previously approved the vehicle class (MA) for the Atto 3.
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 looking for a warranty with less conditions.
THAN: 2023 BYD Atto 3 reviews
THAN: BYD Atto 3 – ‘Urgent notice’ sent to owners around child seats
