BYD Dolphin Sport: Australian Launch Axed Amidst New Priorities

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BYD Dolphin Sport Australian Launch Axed Amidst New Priorities
BYD Dolphin Sport Australian Launch Axed Amidst New Priorities

Plans for a sportier variant of the BYD Dolphin electric car have been scrapped for the Australian market. EVDirect, the company’s distributor, has decided to focus on other vehicle launches instead of bringing the hot version of the Dolphin to Australia.

Customers who had placed orders for the BYD Dolphin Sport were notified last week by EVDirect about the cancellation of their orders. They are now being offered credits towards other BYD products.

The Panoramic Sunroof Of The BYD Dolphin (Credits: BYD)
The Panoramic Sunroof Of The BYD Dolphin (Credits: BYD)

According to David Smitherman, the recently appointed CEO of EVDirect, the decision to cancel Dolphin Sport was primarily driven by a focus on achieving higher sales volume.

Smitherman emphasized the importance of bringing new vehicles into the market regularly to meet demand. EVDirect’s upcoming launches include the Seal U, with plans to expand the brand’s presence in key segments such as mid-sized SUVs and utes.

The Dolphin Sport, which was exclusively requested by EVDirect for the Australian market, was initially revealed through a single rendering at the local debut of the Dolphin hatchback. It was intended to be a limited-edition model with only 1000 units planned for production.

The Steering And Floating Centre Console Of The BYD Dolphin (Credits: BYD)
The Steering And Floating Centre Console Of The BYD Dolphin (Credits: BYD)

The Sport variant was expected to feature a unique body kit, ‘Sport Performance tires,’ and ‘Performance styled rims,’ along with a tuned sports performance for a firmer suspension tune. Despite promising specifications, including a 0-100km/h time of under seven seconds, the Sport’s launch has been called off.

Originally priced at $49,890 before on-road costs, the Dolphin Sport aimed to offer enhanced performance compared to the standard Dolphin, which is currently the most affordable electric vehicle in Australia, starting at $38,890 before on-road costs.

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Maria Byrd

By Maria Byrd

Maria Byrd blends automotive journalism with a lifestyle lens, focusing on the intersection of design, comfort, and culture in today’s vehicles. At Dax Street, she covers luxury interiors, cutting-edge features, and the evolving role of cars in daily life. With a background in design and consumer trends, Maria’s work highlights the finer details—from the stitching on a leather seat to the UX of a next-gen infotainment system.

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