BYD has launched its first electric vehicle (EV) model in Japan, the Atto 3. According to a report by Nikkei, the model is priced at 4.4 million yen ($33,800), which is cheaper than Tesla and Nissan EVs, and deliveries are expected to start in March.
The Atto 3 is the company’s first model built for the global market and is already available in several countries including Europe, Australia, and Singapore. The first sales location, in Yokohama, is expected to open on Thursday, with more than 20 showrooms planned in Japan by the end of the year. The company aims to have over 100 dealers by 2025.
BYD will sell cars in Japan through a dealer network, as it is the way Japanese consumers are most familiar with. The Atto 3 is currently the only model being displayed in the Yokohama showroom, but two more models will be added later this year.
See also: BYD Atto 3 Sells Over 229,000 Units in First Year on the Market
The Atto 3, or Yuan Plus as it is referred to in China, made its debut on the market on February 19, 2022. This vehicle marks a major milestone for BYD, as it is their first SUV to be built on the all-electric e-platform 3.0 and the first model designed for the global market.
BYD set a new record in December by selling 235,197 New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), marking the fourth consecutive month with over 200,000 unit sales, as reported in January. Despite a 8.1% drop from November’s 12,318 units, BYD still sold 11,320 NEVs in international markets during the same month. The company’s yearly NEV sales in 2022 totaled 1,863,494 units, representing a 208.64% increase from the 603,783 units sold in the previous year.
BYD’s plan to enter the Japanese market was announced last July. At that time, BYD Japan said it would release SUVs, compact cars and sedans.
