BYD to Enter Indian Mainstream Market with Electric SUV

Chinese company BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) firm by volume, will enter India’s mainstream EV market with its Atto3 SUV model, according to ETAuto.com. The Atto3 will compete with the Hyundai Kona EV and M G Motor’s ZS EV in the fast-growing EV market.

The Warren Buffet-backed BYD, which overtook Tesla this year, will assemble automobiles in Sriperumbudur, close to Chennai, with expected capacity of 10,000 units within two years.

Demonstrating its intent for the Indian market, BYD will exhibit at the 2023 Delhi Auto Expo, displaying a product line of hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs, in addition its Blade battery technology, which promises a range of 450-500km (280-310 miles).

“We are getting significant traction for our vehicles in India from corporate customers, we want to expand further into the personal buyer’s space with our SUVs,” said Sanjay Gopalakrishnan, senior vice president, BYD India’s electric passenger vehicle business. “We are planning to showcase our vehicle architecture and battery technology at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo, with a long-term vision of participating in the growing EV business in India.”

BYD already has a three way partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation for a similar EV powertrain, according to ETAuto.com. In 2007, BYD entered the Indian marketplace, manufacturing digital components, batteries, and cellphones in Oragadam. As of 2016, it provides batteries and bus chassis to Olectra from its Sriperumbudur meeting plant.