After successfully penetrating the UK’s commercial vehicle market a decade ago, BYD is now bringing its passenger cars to the European country. The Chinese automaker has announced that the BYD Atto 3, its first-ever passenger car in the UK, is now on sale as of March 8.
With a starting price of £36,490 ($43,230), the Atto 3 will be delivered locally beginning March 15. The BYD Yuan Plus, as it is known in China, is the company’s first model built for the global market and is already available in several markets such as Japan, Australia, and Singapore.
In China, the BYD Yuan Plus is available for RMB 139,800 ($20,080) to RMB 167,800, depending on the model.
See also: BYD ATTO 3 : specifications, battery and range
The launch of BYD’s passenger cars in the UK will be supported by the opening of the first BYD pioneer stores in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, and Milton Keynes, all located in the backbone of the country.
BYD has been present in the UK market since 2013 with its all-electric buses, which have driven over 43 million kilometers, resulting in a reduction of CO2 emissions equivalent to 46,000 tons.
According to BYD, the launch of the BYD Atto 3 in the UK automotive marketplace showcases the company’s cutting-edge technology and revolutionary battery expertise. The vehicle is available in the UK in three trim levels, namely Active, Comfort, and Design, with Comfort and Design models available for purchase in the first quarter and the Active model set for release in the second quarter.
In September 2022, BYD introduced three battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to the European market, including the Atto 3, Han, and Tang, which were delivered to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. The Atto 3 was initially available for pre-order in Germany at a price of €38,000 ($40,050).
See also: BYD Atto 3 Sells Over 229,000 Units in First Year on the Market
BYD plans to launch its zero-emissions cars in France and the UK by the end of 2022, but it seems that the passenger car launch in the UK is a few months late compared to the original schedule.
The Atto 3, which is named Yuan Plus in China, is the first SUV on BYD’s all-electric platform, e-platform 3.0, and went on sale in China on February 19, 2022. It is also available for pre-order in Australia under the name Atto 3. The name Atto is inspired by the Attosecond, the smallest unit of time scale in physics.
