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BYD, the world’s second largest electric car manufacturer, will offer three models in Europe, and will present its offer at the 2022 Paris Motor Show.
Unknown to the general European public, the Chinese BYD is a key player in electric mobility, since it is the second largest manufacturer of electric vehicles in the world. Originally a battery manufacturer, the company diversified into the automotive industry in 2003, when BYD Company acquired the Tsinchuan Automobile Company.
As a way of making itself known to the general public and unveiling part of its range, the manufacturer has announced that it will be present at the Paris Motor Show, even though the event will be shunned by several major manufacturers such as Audi, BMW or Hyundai/Kia again.
BYD recently announced its entry into the European market with three models: the Tang EV SUV, the Han EV electric sedan and the Atto 3. In Norway, BYD has sold 2,200 Tang SUVs in two years for a price fluctuating around €50,000.
The Atto 3 is based on the manufacturer’s own 800 V e-platform 3.0 platform. The Tang EV and Han EV on the other hand are based on multi-energy platforms. In China, both models are also offered as plug-in hybrids. In Europe, they will only be marketed in 100% electric.
For the moment, the manufacturer does not wish to communicate sales objectives for the penetration of the European market after Norway. Penny Peng, head of marketing at BYD Europe, told a press event in The Hague that European customers should slowly get used to the new vehicle offering from China. “We just have to be humble“said Ms Peng.
BYD has not yet revealed technical details or the price of the models that will be presented, but it can be assumed that the offer will be positioned a little below the established Western manufacturers, while offering more complete equipment for a slightly lower price. … a strategy that we have already observed at MG, for example.
The first countries concerned will be Norway, Germany, Belgium and Denmark. Other news revealed by our colleagues fromCoach via an interview with Brian Yang, assistant general manager of BYD Europe: depending on the reception that the manufacturer’s range will receive, it is not excluded that it is thinking of relocating its production to European soil in order to better meet the customer expectations.