BYD reveals dealership network plans for the UK
The first stores in the UK will be opening in the first quarter of 2023, with vehicle sales to follow shortly after. The first confirmed dealer partners include Pendragon, Arnold Clark Automobiles, Lookers Motor Group and LSH Auto Holdings.
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The first BYD vehicle to be launched on the market in the UK will be the BYD Atto 3. Further UK dealer partners, product, and pricing information will be confirmed in the coming weeks
2022 represented another record year for BYD with global sales exceeding 1.8 million new energy vehicles. Next, the BYD brand is looking to break more records with another year of growth in 2023, facilitated by the launch across several European countries following success in the pilot market of Norway and expansion to Israel.
BYD has also previously announced which vehicles will follow the Atto 3 electric SUV, with plans to release the Tang and Han, although it remains unclear when these model options will follow. A month after announcing their electric vehicle trio, BYD announced plans to also offer its Seal electric sedan, which is to be offered over the course of 2023. There have been reports that BYD is also looking to sell the Dolphin compact EV in Europe, which would aim for a niche few vehicle manufacturers have been serving, however it remains unclear when or if this will occur.
“A vital principle of the BYD strategy is to work with the best partners. We have selected dealer groups with the expertise and geographic footprint to provide outstanding customer service,” said Michael Shu, General Manager and Managing Director of BYD Europe and International Cooperation Division, adding: “We will start building the network in territories where our partners are dominant and can best demonstrate and display our range of new models.”
In order to supply the demand for electric vehicles in Europe, BYD is looking to establish a passenger car factory on the continent, announced at the end of last year. BYD has big plans: In Germany alone, BYD wants to sell a six-figure number of electric cars in 2026.
Update 07 March 2023
As reported above, the all-electric BYD Atto 3 is now available to order in the UK with customer deliveries starting from 15 March 2023. Three model variants will feature in the range from £36,490 for the ‘Active’ trim, ‘Comfort’ will retail at prices from £36,990 and the ‘Design’ trim level is available from £38,990. Comfort and Design models will be available for sale in Q1 2023 and Active in Q2 2023. The first BYD ‘Pioneer’ stores will open imminently and are situated along the spine of UK including Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Milton Keynes
“BYD’s passenger car business has developed rapidly. We have made some preparations for the British market and brought a new product matrix, including our first car – the BYD ATTO 3,” explained Michael Shu, General Manager and Managing Director for BYD Europe, adding: “At present, BYD has served a total of 3.5 million car owners. We hope to bring these experiences to the United Kingdom, which we recognise as one of the top European markets.”
Source: Info via email, bydeurope.com (update)
