Despite Tariffs, BYD to Bring Compact BEV to Europe

Despite facing import tariffs, China’s BYD brand will launch a new battery-electric compact SUV into European markets in February.

The Atto 2 joins its larger sibling, the Atto 3, to target sales in the B-segment against products from Europe’s legacy automakers including the Peugeot e-2008, Citroën e-C3, Opel Mokka-e, Fiat 600e, Kia Niro and, later this year, the Renault R4.

Some critics of Chinese automakers’ government subsidies point to the move as proof that the European Commission’s tariff, that peaks at 45.3%, is too soft compared to the 100% tariffs imposed by the U.S. and Canada.

Pricing is expected to be competitive against rival products and midway between its existing cars sold in Europe, the Dolphin at $32,157 and the Atto 3 at $45,689, Reuters reports.

Compact by modern standards, the Atto 2 measures 14.14 ft. (4,310 mm) long, 5.9 ft. (1,798 mm) wide and 5.5 ft. (1,676 mm) high with a wheelbase of 8.8 ft. (2,682 mm). It features a blade battery and uses cell-to-body (CTB) construction.

Europe's car safety agency, NCAP, issued a “not recommended” over the adaptive cruise control system used in BYD's Atto 3 in October, compromising its marketing plans as the automaker tries to expand its sales on the Continent.