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Everything About This Drop In Electric Car Prices Came After The Manufacturer Announced The Cheapest Electric Car Ever Launched In 2023, Until Then
The electric and hybrid car market in Brazil underwent a significant transformation starting in June 2023. It all began with the surprising announcement of the electric hatch Dolphin EV from BYD, which hit the market at a much lower price than expected.
This move by BYD triggered a race among other manufacturers to adjust the prices of their electric cars, leading to substantial reductions in popular models.
The Impact Of The Dolphin EV Electric Car
On June 28, 2023, BYD set a new standard for electric car prices in Brazil by launching the Dolphin EV for R$ 149,800. This surprised the market, which expected prices around R$ 200,000.
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Electric and hybrid cars receive flood warnings: brands limit crossing to 20 or 30 cm, recommend up to 10 km/h, and warn that water on the floor can contaminate batteries, render systems unusable, and void the warranty.
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Suzuki sells a “family 4×4 SUV” with 5 doors, 1.5 engine, ladder frame chassis, 4×4 traction with reduction gear, and a price equivalent to about R$ 66,000 without taxes, below the Jeep Renegade sold in Brazil: meet the Jimny 5-Door in India.
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Stellantis sells the “French family van” with up to 7 seats, a 100 hp diesel engine, a trunk of up to 775 liters, and a price equivalent to about R$ 153,000 without taxes, below the Tiggo 7 Pro Max Drive sold in Brazil: meet the Rifter.
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Forget Kwid or BYD Dolphin! The cheapest popular electric car in Brazil costs R$ 69,000, exceeds 200 km of range, and arrives costing up to R$ 56,000 less than well-known rivals.
This price was not promotional, but rather a market positioning strategy. The competition responded immediately to compete with a vehicle that offered great value at a lower price than many of its competitors.
The Reaction Of National Manufacturers
The chain reaction triggered by the Dolphin EV resulted in a wave of price reductions from national manufacturers. The Caoa Group, representing the imported line of Hyundai, reduced the prices of electric car models such as the Kona EV (electric), Kona HEV (hybrid), and the Ionic.
Furthermore, Caoa Chery, which is also part of the group, significantly lowered the prices of several models, including the iCar, which saw its price drop by an impressive R$ 30,000 since its launch.
Up And Down Electric Car Prices
The improvement in the economic Brazilian scenario and the appreciation of the real against the US dollar were cited as justifications for the price reductions. This trend affected not only electric vehicles but also hybrids. A notable example is the Mini Cooper S E, which adjusted its price to R$ 199,990, after initially being listed at R$ 285,000. And this is not an exception, as several other electrified models also saw substantial reductions.
The drop in prices for electric and hybrid cars in Brazil is a direct response to the impact caused by the launch of the BYD Dolphin EV at much more accessible prices than expected.
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