(Reuters) - BYD will launch its new Atto 2 compact SUV in Europe in February, the Chinese EV giant said on Friday, adding to competition in Europe's electric car market. The Atto 2, which complements
BYD Expands European Reach with New Atto 2 Compact SUV
(Reuters) - BYD will launch its new Atto 2 compact SUV in Europe in February, the Chinese EV giant said on Friday, adding to competition in Europe's electric car market.
The Atto 2, which complements the larger Atto 3 released in 2022, is the group's most accessible SUV yet and will compete in the B-SUV segment, a company spokesperson told Reuters.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
The launch comes two months after the European Union approved increased tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles (EVs), including BYD ones, of up to 45.3%.
The Atto 2 will compete in Europe's so called B-SUV segment of compact EV SUVs with rival models including Stellantis' Peugeot e-2008, Citroën e-C3, Opel Mokka-e and Fiat 600e, the Kia Niro, and later this year Renault's new R4.
BY THE NUMBERS
While the Atto 2 price will only be confirmed "in many countries in a few weeks' time", it should logically be between the Dolphin and Atto 3, the spokesperson told Reuters.
In Britain, the Dolphin starts at 26,140 pounds ($32,157) and the Atto 3 starts at 37,140 pounds ($45,689).
The all-electric Atto 2 will be 4.31 metres (14.14 feet) long, 1.83 metres wide and 1.68 metres tall, with a wheelbase of 2.62 metres, BYD said. It features a blade battery and uses cell-to-body (CTB) construction.
QUOTES
"We're excited to start 2025 with another important model for our plans in Europe", BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li said in a statement.
CONTEXT
BYD is on course to top its annual sales target of 4 million vehicles globally, which would put it ahead of Japan's Honda and Detroit-based Ford for 2024.
Europe's car safety agency issued a "not recommended" rating to the driver assistance system used in BYD's Atto 3 EV in October, dealing a blow to the automaker as it strives to expand on the continent.
($1 = 0.8129 pounds)
(Reporting by Alessandro Parodi and Andrey Sychev; Editing by Frances Kerry)
