Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD is planning to strengthen its presence in India, with executives set to visit the country and preparations underway to launch new models, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter.
After five years of remote management, easing of bilateral travel restrictions will allow BYD’s India Managing Director Ketsu Zhang to visit the South Asian nation in the coming months. The company has begun securing visas for senior executives and engineers to restart training programs, maintain machinery, and assess the condition of its southern India factory.
BYD is considering the introduction of its Atto 2 compact electric SUV, also known as the Yuan Up in China, early next year. The model is expected to become the company’s most affordable offering in India and compete with local mass-market automakers such as Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors. Despite the country’s 70% import duty on vehicles, BYD plans to price the Atto 2 below the 2-million-rupee ($22,690) mark.
The company is also seeking approval from local regulators to import vehicles beyond India’s current annual quota of 2,500 units. BYD executives are expected to meet Indian federal officials in New Delhi before touring the existing plant and assessing market opportunities.
The planned expansion follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China last month, marking the first high-level trip since the 2020 border standoff and signaling an easing of tensions. BYD has already delivered 10,000 vehicles in India and currently offers four models, including the BYD eMax 7 MPV, Seal sedan, Atto 3 SUV, and Sealion 7 SUV.