Chinese automotive giant Build Your Dreams (BYD) has officially launched in South Africa after unveiling the fully-electric BYD Atto 3.
BYD is a rival to electric car manufacturer Tesla owned by Elon Musk.
BYD transformed from a factory making rechargeable batteries to a formidable electric vehicle maker expanding globallly.
The carmaker also produces battery and electric vehicle chips.
BYD is launching the BYD Atto 3 with a starting price of R768,000 for the Standard range version and R835,000 for the Extended range model.
All models come with a standard 5-year warranty and 100,000km maintenance plan.
Why expansion into South Africa?
The grand opening of BYD’s brand and the introduction of its latest BYD ATTO 3 model in South Africa marks a significant milestone for the company’s expansion plans.
BYD says it is committed to providing innovative products that are safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly.
“With their cutting-edge technologies such as Blade Battery, DiLink, VTOL capabilities, and other advanced safety features, they have set new standards in the industry,” said the Chinese carmaker.
BYD sees South Africa as an important market with huge potential for growth.
“Their entry into this market will not only create employment opportunities but will also contribute to reducing carbon emissions through their clean energy solutions,” said BYD. “In the future, BYD will continue to build a local sales and service system to offer better user experiences, and to introduce more of its eco-friendly vehicles to South Africa to promote sustainable mobility in the region.
“With the launch of the BYD ATTO 3, BYD further displays its brand vision to “Cool the Earth by 1°C” by delivering reliable and sustainable mobility solutions that significantly reduce carbon emissions.
“The BYD ATTO 3 represents a significant step towards achieving a cleaner and more sustainable transportation sector in South Africa, and a greener mobility solution across different industries worldwide.”
Known for its diverse landscapes and rich culture, South Africa is a country that has been making strides towards sustainable development.
As the demand for electric vehicles continues to grow globally, South Africa presents itself as an ideal location for BYD’s latest venture, said BYD.
Furthermore, South Africa has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
“This aligns with BYD’s commitment to promoting sustainable transportation by reducing carbon footprints through its innovative technology. BYD entering the local passenger vehicle market undoubtedly marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s journey towards sustainable mobility,” said the company.
“Through introducing its cutting-edge products to the local passenger vehicle market, BYD is also promoting the development of the EV industry in South Africa, which willcontribute to more job opportunities and more sustainable economic growth.”
The BYD ATTO3 model
One of BYD’s latest offerings to South Africa is the BYD ATTO3 model.
As a C-class SUV constructed on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0, BYD ATTO 3 exhibits exceptional performance in terms of intelligence, efficiency, safety, and aesthetics.
The electric car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds and has a drag coefficient as low as 0.29Cd.
Additionally, the vehicle can offer users a more convenient and comfortable urban commute thanks to its 420 km pure electric cruising range under WLTP conditions.
From family trips to city commutes, BYD ATTO 3 will meet the diversified needs of South African customers in various driving scenarios.
The BYD ATTO3 comes equipped with BYD’s revolutionary Blade Battery technology that provides exceptional performance in extreme temperatures while maintaining maximum safety standards. This battery design is set to revolutionise the EV industry by reducing costs associated with manufacturing and increasing range without sacrificing safety.
