Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD (Build Your Dreams) is set to enter the EV market in South Africa with its first model, the Atto 3 battery-powered crossover. The vehicle is expected to debut within the next two months, according to reports. BYD is China’s largest EV maker and the second highest in sales globally, only surpassed by Tesla. In 2022, BYD sold 900,000 battery-electric cars, while Tesla sold 1.3 million. When hybrid vehicle sales are included, BYD’s total sales reached 1.86 million, surpassing Tesla by approximately 500,000 units.
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The Atto 3 will be the second Chinese EV to enter the South African market, following the recently unveiled GWM Ora, which is likely to be its main competitor. In Australia, the Atto is priced at around AU$48,100 (R607,000) for the standard model and AU$51,000 (R650,000) for the extended-range version, making it a potentially affordable EV option.
While BYD has not released specific details about the South African version of the Atto 3, the vehicle is already available in various left-hand and right-hand-drive markets, maintaining consistent specifications. In Australia, the Atto features a single electric motor connected to the front axle, delivering 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The Atto 3 is equipped with a 50kWh or 60kWh battery, depending on the model chosen, offering a range of 345km or 420km on the combined WLTP cycle, respectively. The smaller battery can be charged at a maximum DC speed of 70kW, while the larger battery supports up to 80kW DC charging. With a 6.6kW AC home charger, the larger battery can be fully charged in 10 hours and 15 minutes, while the 80kW plug can achieve the same charge level in 64 minutes.
Inside the vehicle, notable features include a 5-inch digital driver’s display, climate control, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, a multifunction steering wheel, heated and electric front seats, and a 12.8-inch “rotating” touchscreen with connectivity options such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and online music streaming. Safety features include adaptive LED lights, 360-view cameras, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking, among others.
With a boot space of 440 litres, expandable to 1,340 litres with the rear seats folded, the Atto 3 measures 4,455mm in length, 1,875mm in width, and 1,615mm in height. It has received a 5-star Ancap safety rating and offers a range of advanced safety features.
