Chinese auto giant BYD wants to conquer Europe and compete with Tesla. To do this, it plans to launch at least three electric models.
If you don’t know BYD yet, you will probably hear much about this brand soon. Because if it does not yet export its models here, it will soon be the case. This arrival in Europe will start with the presence of the Asian giant at the next Paris Motor Show, from October 17 to 23. But the manufacturer also has other plans.
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A market entry towards the end of the year
According to the German website Handelsblatt, BYD should start marketing three electric models on the Old Continent. They are expected to start selling in Sweden and Germany. The brand could open its first European dealerships by the end of the year, even if we don’t yet know their precise location. However, we know a little more about the models that will be marketed over the next few years, which should shake up the market.
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BYD TANG: the giant SUV
For the time being, the order of arrival of these new products is not yet known. But everything leads us to believe that the first model deployed in Europe should be the Tang SUV, already marketed in Norway. The Tang SUV is available in five- and seven-seat versions and has a battery capacity of 86.4 kWh, giving it a range of around 505 kilometers according to the old NEDC standard, which the WLTP has replaced. The electric SUV should see its battery capacity increase to 108.8 kWh, for a range of around 730 kilometers, according to the Chinese CLTC cycle.
Several variants will be offered, but the one equipped with the four-wheel drive should have a power of 483 hp for a 0 to 100 km/h time of only 4.4 seconds. While French prices are unknown, the SUV is trading for NOK 599,900 in Norway or about 62,000 euros at the current exchange rate.
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BYD HAN EV
A sedan should also arrive in Europe, known as Han EV. This is the battery that Tesla has chosen for the new version of its Model Y, produced in the Berlin factory. It should be priced between 45,000 and 55,000 euros and equipped with an LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) Blade battery. This technology was unveiled in 2020 and is characterized by thinner cells that improve capacity. Moreover, this technology would also be safer and would be less prone to the risk of flashover.
The technical specifications of the electric sedan for Europe are not yet known, but the Chinese version will be available in two versions with one or two engines, and after a slightly shortened NEDC cycle, the maximum WLTP should have a range of 605 kilometers.
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BYD ATTO 3 (YUAN PLUS): a compact SUV
Finally, another SUV will arrive on the Old Continent, the Atto 3, known in China as Yuan Plus. It is the only model in Europe equipped with 800-volt technology, like the Porsche Taycan, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6. A technology that allows you to enjoy a faster recharge.
Like the Han EV, the approximately 203 hp electric SUV has a blade battery with a capacity of 50 and 60 kWh and a range of 430-510 km CTLC. Prices in China range from 131,800 to 159,800 yuan, equivalent to approximately 19,200 to 23,300 euros.
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BYD: a new star that is taking on Tesla and European manufacturers?
With these new models, BYD hopes to overshadow Tesla, while the Chinese brand already sells more vehicles than its rival on paper. However, this information must be tempered because the calculations also consider the hybrid versions marketed by the Chinese firm. Counting only the electric versions, the company is still below its Californian rival and leader, but number 2 worldwide, ahead of Volkswagen and Stellaris. Could its arrival in Europe change the situation?