BYD steps up Europe expansion with Atto 2 small electric SUV

BYD steps up Europe expansion with Atto 2 small electric SUV

Automotive News Europe — 2025-01-10

Automotive Industry

BYD will launch its new Atto 2 small full-electric SUV in Europe in February, the Chinese EV giant said, adding to competition in Europe’s electric car market.

The Atto 2, which complements the larger compact 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.

The launch comes two months after the European Union approved increased tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles, including BYD ones, of up to 45.3%.

The Atto 2 will compete in Europe with models including the Peugeot e-2008, Citroen e-C3 Aircross, Opel Mokka-e and Fiat 600e, the Kia Niro, and later this year Renault’s new R4 and Ford Puma electric.

While the Atto 2 price will only be confirmed “in many countries in a few weeks’ time,” it should logically be between the Dolphin compact hatchback 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 Atto 2 is 4310 mm long, 1830 mm wide and 1680 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2620 mm, BYD said. It features BYD’s “blade” battery and cell-to-body (CTB) construction.

BYD on course to beat global sales target

We are excited to start 2025 with another important model for our plans in Europe,” BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li said in a statement.

BYD is on course to top its annual sales target of four million vehicles globally, which would put it ahead of Japan’s Honda and Detroit-based Ford for 2024.

Europe’s NCAP 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.