Jan 10 Reuters BYD will launch its new Atto 2 compact SUV in Europe in February, the Chinese EV giant said on Friday, adding to competition in Europe39;s electric car market.

The Atto 2, which complements the larger Atto 3 released in 2022, is the group39;s most accessible SUV yet and will compete in the BSUV segment, a company spokesperson told Reuters.

WHY IT39;S IMPORTANT

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

The Atto 2 will compete in Europe39;s so called BSUV segment of compact EV SUVs with rival models including Stellantis39; Peugeot e2008, Citroën eC3, Opel Mokkae and Fiat 600e, the Kia Niro, and later this year Renault39;s new R4.

BY THE NUMBERS

While the Atto 2 price will only be confirmed in many countries in a few weeks39; time, it should logically be between the Dolphin 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 allelectric Atto 2 will be 4.31 metres 14.14 feet long, 1.83 metres wide and 1.68 metres tall, with a wheelbase of 2.62 metres, BYD said. It features a blade battery and uses celltobody CTB construction.

QUOTES

We39;re excited to start 2025 with another important model for our plans in Europe, BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li said in a statement.

CONTEXT

BYD is on course to top its annual sales target of 4 million…