BYD is already well established in the UK as an electric bus supplier and will appoint “major dealer partners in critical regions of the country” in the first quarter of 2023.
“At the heart of the launch plan is the strategic goal of working with the dealer groups that provide the experience, expertise and prime locations to sell the groundbreaking range of new-energy vehicles,” the automaker said in a statement.
It will be launched in several European countries in 2023, “following success in the pilot market Norway”. The first appointed UK dealer partners will begin receiving cars, with sales beginning in the first quarter.
The first confirmed UK dealer groups are: Pendragon, Arnold Clark Automobiles, Lookers Motor Group and LSH Auto Holdings.
The first vehicle to launch in the UK will be the Atto 3, a CsSegment SUV powered by a 60.48kWh battery based on the latest e-Platform 3.0. This model features the groundbreaking Blade battery and has a Euro NCAP 5-star rating. Other new model launches will follow throughout the year.
BYD claims to be the only manufacturer to design and build the complete electric powertrain system, power batteries, automotive semiconductors, motors and motor control systems.
The cobalt-free iron phosphate blade battery is designed to ensure greater efficiency in terms of performance, range and service life, and to ensure greater safety.
Michael Shu, General Manager and Managing Director of BYD Europe and International Cooperation Division, said, “We selected dealer groups with the expertise and geographic footprint to provide outstanding customer service. We will start building the network in areas where our partners are dominant and best able to demonstrate and showcase our range of new models.”
BYD has also launched in Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium. Additional UK retailers, products and prices to be announced later.
