BYD Bets on Budget EV Boom with Atto 1 Debut in Indonesia

US Access to BYD and Role of Tariffs

• Many commenters want BYD‑class cars in the US but see high tariffs on Chinese EVs as the main obstacle.
• One side argues tariffs distort markets, entrench bloated US automakers, and hurt consumers.
• Others see tariffs as strategic industrial policy: preserving domestic manufacturing capacity (and Tesla) even at consumer expense.
• There’s concern that heavy protection will cause the US auto industry to “rot from inside,” becoming uncompetitive globally.

Small Cheap Cars vs American SUV Culture

• Debate over why the US gets electric Hummers instead of tiny EV hatchbacks.
• Some say consumers simply don’t buy small hatchbacks (Fit, Yaris, etc.), and automakers rationally reallocated capacity to more profitable crossovers.
• Others argue regulations, tax code, and classification of SUVs as “trucks” push the market toward larger vehicles, then advertising and culture lock it in.
• Used‑car behavior: many people who want small, practical hatchbacks buy them used, shrinking new‑car demand.

Chinese EV Pricing, Subsidies, and Policy

• BYD’s ~$12k Atto 1 is seen as plausible and in line with other Asian EVs; the Chinese domestic price war pushed some models down to $6–8k.
• Several comments describe a “fantasy land” price war fueled by provincial subsidies and cheap debt, causing bankruptcies and prompting Beijing’s recent crackdown.
• Others note China’s broader pivot from real estate to EVs/clean energy as a national employment and industrial strategy, expecting long‑term price declines.

Prospects for the US Auto Industry

• Some predict much of the US auto sector will be wiped out within a decade by Chinese competition; others think tariffs will simply keep Chinese cars out.
• BYD is repeatedly described as offering Tesla‑class performance and better interiors at roughly half the price, though claims about “Porsche handling” and “Toyota reliability” are disputed.
• US legacy automakers are criticized for financial engineering (e.g., stock buybacks) instead of investing to compete; others emphasize structural constraints from investor expectations and interest rates.
• There’s a side debate over whether the real problem is “expensive labor” or management choices and corporate structure.

Demand for Ultra‑Cheap EVs in the US

• Several argue a $10–15k new EV wouldn’t sell well in America: buyers either move up to better‑equipped crossovers or buy used.
• Examples: the Chevy Bolt and Equinox EV had attractive effective prices (after incentives) but limited uptake; consumers prefer more expensive models.
• Others still ask why no entrant is attempting a truly stripped‑down $10–15k EV; one startup (Slate) is cited as trying exactly that by avoiding “gimmicks” like self‑driving.

Quality of Chinese EVs (BYD, etc.)

• Experiences are mixed but skew positive:
  • In low‑end segments, Chinese cars are described as “best for the money,” though sometimes with rough edges (buggy UIs, coarse driving dynamics, plasticky interiors).
  • Ride‑share users report BYD Atto as surprisingly good for a cheap car; Geely ICE examples reach ~100k km without major failures.
  • Some say China‑domestic BYDs feel flimsier than export versions; others contest this and stress intense domestic competition leaves little room for chronic low quality.
• Consensus that Chinese manufacturers are ahead in batteries (LFP, sodium‑ion, solid‑state ramping) and EV integration; US firms, including legacy OEMs, are seen as having under‑invested here.

Global Market Shifts and Emerging Economies

• BYD’s low‑cost EVs are already reshaping markets: in Brazil, the “Dolphin Mini” is a hit and BYD has reportedly overtaken Toyota in sales.
• Commenters expect Chinese brands (BYD, SAIC, Geely, GWM, Xiaomi, etc.) to dominate developing and emerging markets first, then increasingly pressure Western markets via local factories to sidestep tariffs.
• Some note Indonesia’s lack of a strong domestic auto brand compared with Vietnam’s VinFast, tying this to broader development and “commodities trap” concerns.
• Cheap EVs are seen as democratizing car ownership and thus traffic—but with far less local pollution than combustion cars.