Two more Chinese cars are about to lob with the arrival of BYD’s Atto 1 and Atto 2.
Set for launch on November 13, the Atto 1 is poised to become Australia’s most affordable EV.
The pair will take the number of models offered by BYD to 10. The first, the Atto 3, was launched in June, 2022, priced from $48,000.
The rapid growth of the company mirrors the exponential growth of Chinese vehicles in the Australian market, and is likely to result in the demise of some established brands in the not-to-distant future.
Called the Seagull in China and Dolphin Surf in Europe, the Atto 1 has already attracted more than 1 million sales worldwide.
It has also been named World Urban Car of the Year at the 2025 World Car Awards and one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025.
Two Atto 1 variants will be offered, Essential and Premium, with different outputs and range.
Essential with 65kW and 175Nm has a 30 kWh battery and delivers 220km of range; Premium puts out 115kW of power and 220Nm, and with a larger 43.2 kWh battery is good for 310km — both figures under the WLTP testing regime.
DC fast charging from 10-80 per cent takes 30 minutes, enabling quick and convenient top-ups at home or on the go, making the Atto 1 well-suited to city lifestyles.
Both variants feature a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, synthetic leather seats, and generous boot space, along with six airbags, a 360 degree camera, and BYD’s Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).
The larger Atto 2 also comes in two grades, Dynamic and Premium.
Both are powered by a 130kW electric motor that generates 290Nm of torque, and is paired with a 51.3 kWh battery that offers up to 345km of range.
Charging from 10-80 per cent takes around 39 minutes, with a peak charging rate of up to 82kW.
Premium takes the experience up a notch with a larger 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, 360 degree camera, power-adjustable front seats and immersive eight -speaker audio.
Heated and cooled front seats, plus an auto-dimming rear-view mirror enhance comfort.
Expressions of interest in Atto 1 and Atto 2 are now open, with the vehicles available for order from mid-November.
No word on pricing yet.
CHECKOUT: BYD Atto 3 EV: Watch and act