On January 16th, BYD held a press conference in Incheon, South Korea, officially announcing its plans to enter the South Korean auto market. BYD stated that they will introduce three models to the South Korean market this year: BYD Atto 3, BYD Seal, and BYD Sealion 7.
The BYD Atto 3 will be the first car available and is open for pre-order starting today. The car is expected to begin deliveries to customers from mid-February onwards. This announcement comes soon after South Korean regulators granted the Atto 3 emissions and noise certifications.
The Atto 3 will come in two versions: the standard version and the Atto 3 Plus version. Both are equipped with lithium iron phosphate batteries with a capacity of 60.48 kWh. Under normal conditions, the driving range on a single charge is 321 km. The battery can also be charged from 20% to 80% in just 30 minutes.
The Atto 3 is priced starting at 31,000,000 KRW (21,300 USD). For reference, in China, the BYD Atto 3 (known as the BYD Yuan Plus) sells for 119,800 yuan (16,650 USD) for the base model. BYD’s South Korean subsidiary plans to launch the compact electric sedan, BYD Seal, and electric SUV, Sealion 7, within this year. The models are expected to debut in the first half of 2025.
BYD is no stranger to South Korea. The company has operated for nearly 10 years in South Korea offering products such as electric forklifts, electric buses, and electric trucks. BYD is collaborating with six authorized dealers in South Korea. The company announced they will open 15 showrooms and 11 service centers in major cities and regions, including Seoul and Jeju Island.
Cho In-cheol, Head of the BYD South Korean Passenger Car Division, stated that the company will work closely with dealers and partners to continuously enhance the brand experience. He additionally revealed that the company will showcase its new vehicles at the Seoul Mobility Show in April later this year.
