The Chinese car manufacturer BYD has signalled its ambition to expand its offering across Europe by showcasing the three electric models at the Paris Motor Show, with which it intends to lead the charge. However, whether the brand plans to launch in Ireland is currently unclear.
On display in Paris were the BYD Atto 3 (a compact crossover), the BYD Tang (a large seven-seater SUV) and the BYD Han (a sleek saloon model). Another model too, the BYD Seal, a good-looking electric saloon around the same size as the Tesla Model 3, was also on display, though the firm hasn't confirmed whether it'll make it to Europe just yet.
BYD's expansion
BYD, whose initials stand for Build Your Dreams, started out in 1995 as a battery manufacturer before making a move into the field of electric vehicles. The firm already has a presence in Europe in the form of its bus manufacturing operations, and its large SUV, the Tang, has been on sale in Norway since last summer.
The company intends to focus the initial thrust of its European expansion on the Benelux and Nordic countries before launching in the UK in its second phase. The firm has said that it will not produce either the Tang or the handsome Han in right-hand drive form, which rules them both out for the UK market (and any potential market entry in Ireland), but that it would use the Atto 3, which is built in right-hand drive (for the Australian market) to spearhead its arrival in the UK. The Seal can also potentially be built in right-hand drive form, so if it does eventually arrive in Europe, sales in the UK are likely.
Atto 3
Pitched in terms of its size as a rival for the likes of the MG ZS and Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4, the Atto 3 is a reasonably pleasant-looking electric crossover with seating for five and a 440-litre boot that expands to 1,338 litres when the rear seats are folded down.
Powering the model in global markets (European specs aren't fully confirmed) is a choice of 48kWh or 60kWh batteries and a single electric motor which sends 204hp to the front wheels. That powertrain in its 60kWh guise is enough to give the Atto 3 a highly respectable 420km of range.
In-car tech is a big deal for Chinese customers - the relative lack of it has been cited as one of the reasons that VW's electric models haven't done as well in China as hoped - and that's something that's reflected in the Atto 3.
Despite being a relatively humble family crossover, for example, the central infotainment screen is a massive 15.6-inch unit which can rotate between portrait and widescreen aspects at the flick of a switch.
The Atto 3 sells in Australia for around the $48,000 mark or the equivalent of €30,500, which could potentially make it a very competitive EV offering if the brand ever did make it to Ireland, high levels of tax notwithstanding. The firm had originally stated its intention to launch the Atto 3 in the UK by the end of this year, but that doesn't seem to have panned out, and next year now looks more likely.
Respect for European auto industry
"BYD comes to Europe with a full range of new electric cars, that live up to the high expectations of our customers," said Michael Shu, managing director of BYD Europe.
"We introduce vehicles that are reliable, practical and comfortable with premium equipment as a standard feature. We have high respect for the European auto industry and its ecosystem, including design, R&D, manufacturing, sales, aftersales network, and services. Our strategy is to work with established and respected local dealers who share our vision, to provide high levels of customer service. Therefore, BYD has prepared the European market entry with care. With our car design, our technology, our services and our dealer partners BYD will try to stand out from the crowd and offer the best possible experience to European consumers."