Gweiloman

Unless you need 2 cars, have you given any thought to the Haval H6 PHEV? Since you can charge at home, you are assured of a full charge every morning. That will easily give you a real world range of 150 kms. Longer trips are a no brainer (I drove to KL and back, charging where I could and petrol at other times) I rate the interior above Atto 3. It loses out in not having LFP battery and V2L. Android Auto is wireless (BYD doesn’t support AA atm but says there will be a software update soon). Unfortunately it’s also 500,00 baht more expensive - big downside lol but you are getting a lot of car for the mone.

The Neta V looks rather nice on the outside. Also LFP battery and VTL capable, but they don’t provide the adapter, unlike BYD (MG charges 8-10,000 baht for the adapter also). Unfortunately, for me, that’s where the good points end. The build quality is nowhere near BYD and the materials are definitely budget, Ride quality left a lot to be desired and the interior is far from modern. No CarPlay/Android Auto either also the infotainment panel can screen mirror your phone which is a pretty nifty feature - not sure how reliable it is though. They also give a free wall charger but not installation. I deleted it off my shortlist already.

I can stretch to the 1.2 million needed for the Atto 3 but the 400k I would save by getting the Dolphin would also get me lots of other goodies lol ???? Dilemma indeed… 555

You are absolutely right. I felt that the standard model was sufficient for our daily needs but the salesman cleverly replied quickly that it only comes in white. Is the extra 10Kwh really worth 100k more? Depends on individual circumstances I guess. As for the MG, the extra 100k is also debatable although having the connectivity features are useful. What’s very significant though is that the MG only has a 4 year warranty whereas the BYD has 8 years warranty. This is for the car. Both have 8 yrs on the battery. BYD is also giving 8 years free servicing (4 years for the Dolphin) whilst MG is only 5 free services (2,5 yrs). If only the Atto3 and MG4 costed the same, lol.

Went to test drive the Dolphin yesterday. It was good, nice comfort levels and all that jazz. Would be excellently for city driving but I felt that it might not be so great for long distance driving. Regretfully on the spur of the moment, I thought that 200k was that much more so did a test drive on the Atto 3. Totally different class in terms of ride comfort, interior etc. I said regretfully because now she wants the extended range which means 400 k over the basic Dolphin. For a 1st car, I would not hesitate. But we already have the Haval H6 and 1.2 million is a lot of money to pay for a 2nd car which honestly won’t be used all that much. That’s a long winded way of asking, given the price difference between the MG4 and Atto3, which would be a better car to buy?

@JBChiangRai May I ask, did you purchase the 869k or 969k baht MG4? And why this model over the other?

Thank you very much for your generous offer:) I really like the EP+ but as this is meant to be a second car, mainly for my better half to drive around CM, I feel a hatchback/B segment vehicle is the better option for her (relatively new driver with 3-4 years experience and most of all, Thai haha). I already have the Haval SUV for when I need the luggage space. The BYD salesguy reckons that an upgraded Dolphin would make its way to these shores in a couple of months so I will test drive it then. The MG guy reckons that the govt incentive will cease by next year. Is he scaremongering or is that true?

On my Haval, the one pedal brings me to a complete stop if I judge the distance and speed correctly (which is prettier much intuitive after a while). I love this feature and use it pretty much exclusively for town driving, negating the need for the autohold brake. With autohold brake, one needs to step a bit more forcefully on the accelerator pedal to disengage the brake and to move the car forward. I don’t like this much as I prefer to roll the car forward a little before accelerating slightly for a smoother ride. Since the MG doesn’t have full one pedal driving, I feel that the autohold feature should be activated/deactivated by a button instead of being in one of the menus. Additionally, not having full one pedal could cause some excitement when I switch between cars, if you know what I mean :).

For the Dolphin, the tyres are, wait for it, Linglong Dolphin. Yes, there is actually the imprint of a dolphin on the side wall of the tyre. Apparently, this is custom made by “Linglong” (lol) for BYD

Went to look at both the MG4 and BYD Dolphin today. MG4 doesn’t have one pedal driving. Apparently Dolphin doesn’t have either. MG4 doesn’t have physical autohold button. It can only be activated via the touch screen - not ideal Dolphin doesn’t have electric seat controls. Supposedly, the higher end model (not yet available) will have it. MG4 has for driver seat only Neither vehicle has HUD. MG4 only has 4 yr warranty. Service every 6 months/10k km Dolphin has 8 yr warranty, service every year/20k km Both have 8 yr warranty on battery. Both are lithium iron phosphate batteries. MG4 is rear wheel drive, Dolphin FWD MG top of range 956,000 baht. Dolphin 799,999 baht. I prefer the looks of the MG but Dolphin seems better value?

Are the models in Thailand utilising lithium iron phosphate batteries?

If things go according to plan. I will soon be in the market for a new EV as a second car. Range will not be a main criteria as I already have the Haval H6 PHEV for long trips. Main consideration will be a price, <1 million baht. Currently shortlisted MG4 and BYD Dolphin. Any other suggestions?

When at home, I abuse my solar system as much as it can stand, AC set to 23 degrees C. On other days, I take my PHEV to a free charging station and sit in my car with the AC on and watch videos/movies on my iPad, something that I would be doing at home anyway.

Yes, there are some posters who, presumably due to ingrained bias and prejudice, refuse to accept that some Chinese companies are capable of manufacturing top quality products. My phone, electric toothbrush, self cleaning robot vacuum etc (Chinese made) are easily as well made (if not better) than many European products I have purchased over the years. I do have a complaint about my Haval H6 though. I can’t close the door like it is a Toyota. I have to slam it shut like it’s an Audi.

Considering that China build rather good trains and tracks, I’m sure they can build better Teslas if that’s the goal…

Then why post here? I doubt anyone is interested in your thoughts.

Anything I said that wasn’t factual?

I used to think that range was the single most important criteria but since my 6,000 km trip back in March, I have not once needed to put in any petrol to my (NEDC) 201 km EV range PHEV. I have been happily charging from solar and a free CS near me.

Once again, your personal opinion does not make it a fact. To be honest, I would be hard pressed to name a single Japanese product I own. My ac is LG as is my Tv and fridge. M fridge freezer is cheap charlie Chinese brand (still works perfectly after 5 yrs). Air purifier, dehumidifier, robot vacuum etc all Chinese. Oh, I remember, one Jap product, a 5 yr old Mazda, that only starts intermittently and dealer’s workshop can’t even identify the problem. I do also own 3 Shoei helmets - top product. China does make a lot of cheap and lower quality products (what you refer to as junk) - they are made to a price point. For eg, you can buy a Chinese made reciprocating saw for half the price of a Makita or De Walt. But unless you are a professional user or a prosumer, the Chinese one will more than satisfy your requirements. Why waste money unnecessarily or worse, deprive yourself of that tool because it’s too expensive? Chinese made products has been a boon to DIYers the world over. And lots of professional woodworkers will tell you that there are many Chinese made products that are on par with Japanese and European made ones at a more affordable price. Get over your prejudices.

Any basis for saying this? Or just ingrained bias?

What line is that? Fuel is taxed, we all know that. Pollution in cities will be reduced, when more and more EVs replace ICEs. Anyone with an active brain cell knows that too. These are facts, pure and simple.

Prey to their tactics? Which tactic is this? To encourage us to use less petrol/diesel or reduce pollution in the cities? Will be interesting to see how they will recover their taxation income. Higher road tax perhaps? Definitely won’t be higher electricity prices lol.

It costs me about 100 baht to travel 100 kms in my 2 ton SUV PHEV. Costs me almost 200 baht to travel the same distance in my Mazda 2 hatchback. I don’t need to know how many kWh a litre of gasoline contains to know which is my cheaper option.

My Thai wife doubles up as the maid. I double up as the dishwasher, rubbish disposal man, dog walker, driver, gardener, handyman…

I have no issue as to whether someone prefers petrol powered or diesel powered or any other types of fuel/energy. I personally own both petrol and diesel powered vehicles as well as a PHEV. However, it doesn’t cost anything nowadays to educate yourself better on what is arguably the biggest issue concerning mass transportation today. You might even appear as “well informed “.