For much of the past year, the BYD Atto 2 looked comfortable at the front of Nepal's compact electric SUV market. It had established a strong presence, enjoyed limited direct competition and built a sizeable import lead. Then the Dongfeng Nammi VIGO changed the pace.
October's import figures show the VIGO moving ahead for the month. It recorded 1,137 imported units, while the Atto 2 managed 739. That is a meaningful shift in a segment where price, equipment and availability can quickly change buyer interest.
But there is a detail worth keeping in view. These are import figures, not confirmed retail sales or customer registrations. And while the VIGO won October, the Atto 2 still leads the cumulative count for the first ten months of 2026.
The monthly result is important. The bigger story is how quickly the balance is changing.
According to import figures , Nepal received 1,137 Nammi VIGO units in October. Imports of the BYD Atto 2 stood at 739 units. The VIGO therefore recorded 398 more imported units during the month.
| Import figures | Nammi VIGO | BYD Atto 2 |
|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 1,137 units | 739 units |
| January to October 2026 | 1,926 units | 2,696 units |
| Last four months of 2025 | 217 units | 1,072 units |
The longer view puts October into perspective. From January to the end of October, the Atto 2 had reached 2,696 imported units. The VIGO stood at 1,926, leaving a gap of 770 units.
That is still a substantial lead for BYD, but it is no longer a one-sided contest. The VIGO's October performance follows a sharp rise in its import momentum during 2026. It had arrived in Nepal with 217 imported units during the final four months of 2025, before its numbers accelerated this year.
Both models entered the Nepali market around the previous year's NADA Auto Show. Since then, the competition has become much tighter, with pricing changes and new arrivals giving buyers more reasons to compare their options.
Price appears to be the biggest factor behind the VIGO's October surge. MAW Vriddhi introduced a version without a vision roof at Rs 3.799 million, four days before the NADA Auto Show. The company also offered a temporary Rs 200,000 discount, taking the booking price to Rs 3.599 million.
The response was immediate. According to the company, the VIGO received around 2,000 bookings within four days. The discount offer was then withdrawn.
There is a clear reason the revised price attracted attention. The source reports that removing the vision roof reduced the VIGO's price by Rs 600,000. When the additional discount was included, the difference reached Rs 800,000. Even against the entry-level Atto 2 Essential, the VIGO held a price advantage of around Rs 800,000.
That is a serious difference for buyers shopping in this price bracket. A panoramic or vision roof may be attractive, but it is not essential for every customer. Some buyers will happily trade that feature for a lower purchase price, particularly when the core appeal of the vehicle remains intact.
The VIGO's new pricing also made it the most affordable SUV in Nepal with a 51 kWh battery, according to the report. It is a strong value proposition, although buyers should compare the exact variant and equipment before treating the two models as direct equivalents.
The Atto 2 has a three-variant lineup in Nepal, while the VIGO's recent price move has centred attention on its version without a vision roof. The following figures reflect the prices and booking offer reported in the source, not a guarantee that every temporary promotion remains available.
| Model or variant | Reported price | Battery information |
|---|---|---|
| Nammi VIGO without vision roof | Rs 3.799 million | 51 kWh class, as described in the report |
| Nammi VIGO promotional booking price | Rs 3.599 million | Temporary offer, later withdrawn |
| BYD Atto 2 Essential | Rs 4.595 million | 45.12 kWh |
| BYD Atto 2 Premium | Rs 4.899 million | 51.13 kWh |
| BYD Atto 2 Superior | Rs 5.199 million | Same battery as Premium, with panoramic sunroof |
The Atto 2's entry-level Essential variant uses a 45.12 kWh battery. The Premium moves to a 51.13 kWh pack, while the Superior shares the Premium's battery and adds a panoramic sunroof. That gives buyers a clear set of choices within the BYD range.
The VIGO's price strategy is not only putting pressure on the Atto 2. Its revised pricing has also affected other recently introduced electric SUVs, including the Arcfox T1, Chery Q and Proton e.MAS 5.
This is what makes the latest import figures relevant beyond a simple two-model contest. A sharp price adjustment in one popular vehicle can force buyers to reassess several alternatives. It can also put pressure on distributors who had positioned their products around a particular price range.
There are signs that demand for the VIGO is running ahead of immediate supply. MAW Vriddhi has reported a long waiting list, despite the strong import numbers. That suggests the October result may not be the end of the story, although future imports will depend on supply, customer demand and any further changes to pricing.
For buyers, the decision is becoming less straightforward. The VIGO has demonstrated that a lower entry price can attract substantial attention. The Atto 2, meanwhile, retains a cumulative import advantage and offers three distinct variants. Neither monthly imports nor a booking rush alone tells the whole story of long-term ownership.
The October figures mark a turning point, but they do not settle the contest. The VIGO has shown that a substantial price advantage can move the market quickly. The Atto 2 still has a meaningful cumulative lead, and its three-variant range gives BYD room to compete across different budgets.
Three factors will shape what happens next:
The VIGO has won an important monthly round. It has not yet taken the overall lead. For now, Nepal's compact electric SUV market has a genuine rivalry, and buyers are the ones with more choice.
Q: Did the Nammi VIGO outsell the BYD Atto 2 in Nepal in October 2026?
A: The VIGO recorded 1,137 imported units in October, compared with 739 Atto 2 units. These are import figures, not confirmed retail sales or registrations.
Q: Which model has the higher cumulative imports in Nepal?
A: The BYD Atto 2 remained ahead from January to the end of October 2026, with 2,696 imported units. The Nammi VIGO recorded 1,926 units over the same period.
Q: What is the price of the Nammi VIGO without a vision roof?
A: The version was launched at Rs 3.799 million. A temporary Rs 200,000 discount reduced its booking price to Rs 3.599 million, but the report says the offer was later withdrawn.
Q: What is the starting price of the BYD Atto 2 in Nepal?
A: The Atto 2 Essential is priced at Rs 4.595 million. The Premium costs Rs 4.899 million, while the Superior is priced at Rs 5.199 million.
Q: Why has the Nammi VIGO become more competitive?
A: Its lower-priced version without a vision roof has created a significant price advantage over the Atto 2 Essential. The company also reported around 2,000 bookings within four days of the temporary discount offer.
Q: Is the Nammi VIGO now Nepal's best-selling compact electric SUV?
A: The VIGO led the October 2026 import figures, but the Atto 2 remained ahead in cumulative imports from January to October. The source does not provide a complete retail sales or registration ranking.
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