In the first half of this year, Europe’s best-selling vehicle overall was the Tesla Model Y, but Chinese automakers are already beginning to pose a serious threat.
In a highly developed European EV market, a Chinese EV outsold the Tesla Model Y in July, which may be an early indicator of more devastating things to come. Last month, Sweden’s best-selling electric car was the BYD Atto 3, which is also known as the BYD Yuan Plus in China and some other markets.
Related: China’s EV Push, Led by BYD, has Left Global Names in the Dust
In July, BYD sold 721 units of Attp 3 in the Scandinavian country, twice as much as the 359 units sold by Tesla Model Y. According to data from the Mobility Sweden Automotive Association cited by Automotive News Europe, the Atto 3 also outsold the Volkswagen ID.4 (710 units), BMW i4 (385 units), and Skoda Enyaq (370 units). That said, the Tesla Model Y remains the best-selling electric vehicle in Sweden as of the first 7 months of the year with 8,901 registrations.
Priced at 445,000 Swedish kronor ($41,500), the BYD Atto 3 is considerably less expensive than the Tesla Model Y, which starts at 560,160 kronor ($52,400). The BYD Atto 3 is powered by the automaker’s BladeBattery, which helps the EV achieve up to 420 kilometers of WLTP cruising range.
Related: BYD Dominates the Sales Charts in China During H1-2023
BYD is currently selling the Atto 3, as well as the Han, Tang, Seal, and Dolphin EVs in a number of Western European nations. The company’s sales campaign is one of many by Chinese manufacturers that are mounting immense competition in the diverse EV market throughout Europe.
In the previous two years, BYD has been aggressively expanding its model lineup, production capability, and market presence, challenging Tesla’s EV supremacy. BYD already is the world’s largest EV maker when counting both fully electric and plug-in hybrid models. The Chinese automaker is well on course to grab a major share of the European EV market.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
