Chinese EV maker BYD launches Seal and Atto 3 in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani auto market and existing big brands are about to face tough competition as the popular Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD has introduced two flagship cars, the BYD Seal and BYD Atto 3, to Pakistan.

Interestingly, the EV maker has also announced the price of its upcoming models, and here they are:

The BYD Seal Dynamic costs Rs14.79 million, while BYD Atto 3 Advance is available for Rs8.9 million.

These cars join a growing lineup of electric cars in the country, where the demand for fuel-efficient vehicles is currently on the rise.

The reason for this demand? It’s the rising prices of petrol and diesel.

For those unaware, the BYD Atto 3 is a compact SUV featuring a front-wheel drive (FWD) system with a decent driving range of 420 kilometres (WLTP Combined).

The coming days will reveal how these cars perform in the Pakistani market as the price of Atto 3, which is under Rs9 million can give a tough competition to the already existing, fuel-powered Honda Civic.

Atto 3 can accelerate quickly, at least better than many locally produced sedans, with 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 160 km/h. Powered by the BYD BladeBattery, the Atto 3 delivers peak power of 150 kW, and offers ample storage with a cargo capacity of 555 to 1338 litres.

BYD’s entrance into Pakistan is one of the company’s strategies to expand its footprint in Asia as it plans to make quality EVs more accessible.

The BYD Atto 3 has proven to be a significant player in the global EV market. Known as the Yuan Plus in China, BYD recorded sales of 412,202 units of this model in 2023, with 100,020 units sold outside China—accounting for 42 per cent of BYD’s overall exports that year, according to a Reuters report.

Read next: Pakistan’s monthly power generation sees 5.3 per cent decline