BYD experienced significant growth in 2024, selling over 1.7 million electric vehicles, solidifying its position as a strong competitor to Tesla. The company is unveiling a refreshed Atto 3 model, featuring aesthetic updates while maintaining technical specifications. The updated SUV includes a large touchscreen and offers two battery options in China, with plans for European production to reduce customs duties. The current Atto 3 starts at €36,990, with the new version anticipated soon.
BYD’s Electric Vehicle Sales Surge in 2024
In 2024, BYD made waves in the electric vehicle market, selling over 1.7 million electric cars, positioning itself as a strong contender just behind Tesla. While the Chinese automaker has not yet claimed the top spot globally, it continues to push forward with ambitious plans to reach this goal, a position it already enjoys in its home country of China.
Unveiling the Revamped Atto 3
To solidify its presence, BYD is heavily investing in innovation, employing over a million workers and filing an impressive average of 32 patents each day. The company is expanding its vehicle lineup, recently showcasing the new Atto 2 at the Brussels Motor Show. Additionally, BYD is working on an updated version of the Atto 3, originally launched in early 2022 and first introduced to Europe at the Paris Motor Show that same year.
The latest iteration of the Atto 3 has been revealed through images released by the Chinese Ministry of Industry, highlighting a refreshed front end with a redesigned bumper. While the headlights and grille remain unchanged, the rear design features subtle updates, including a more dynamic bumper and a newly designed roof spoiler that enhances the vehicle’s sporty appearance. The compact SUV maintains its dimensions at 4.46 meters in length, 1.88 meters in width, and 1.62 meters in height, with only minor adjustments to its profile.
Although details about the driving position of this updated model are still under wraps, it is expected that any changes will be minimal. The current Atto 3 boasts a large 15-inch touchscreen that supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired with a 5-inch digital instrument cluster. The wheelbase of the facelifted version is set at 2.72 meters, while the trunk volume remains at 440 liters.
This mid-cycle facelift focuses primarily on the Atto 3’s aesthetic improvements, with technical specifications remaining consistent. The vehicle is powered by an electric motor that delivers 150 kW (approximately 203 horsepower) to the front wheels. In China, customers can choose between two battery options featuring Blade LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) technology, with capacities of 49.92 kWh and 60.48 kWh, allowing for a range of up to 510 kilometers based on the Chinese CLTC cycle.
For the European market, the existing Atto 3 is only available with the larger battery, providing a range of 420 km WLTP. Charging from 10% to 80% takes around 40 minutes at 88 kW on a fast charger, which falls short compared to competitors that typically achieve this in 25 to 30 minutes.
While the pricing for the new version has yet to be announced, the current Atto 3 starts at €36,990. There is promising news for potential buyers, as the upcoming version will be manufactured in Europe at a new facility currently under construction in Hungary. This move is expected to alleviate customs duties within the European market and will see the Atto 3 assembled alongside the Dolphin, which will also receive a facelift soon. With the addition of the small Seagull model recently spotted in France, BYD is clearly set on establishing a formidable presence in Europe.