Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand BYD will launch the Atto 3 in the first quarter of 2023, as it establishes a presence in the UK market.

The Volkswagen ID 3 and MG4-rivalling compact SUV is powered by a 60kWh battery, giving a range of up to 261 miles. It uses a 204PS electric motor to power the front wheels and has a claimed 0-62mph acceleration time of 7.3 seconds.

Pricing and specification details are yet to be revealed, but the Atto 3 has been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

BYD has partnered with five UK dealer groups to support its UK launch. The first appointed UK dealer partners will start receiving cars, with sales commencing in the coming weeks.

Michael Shu, general manager and managing director of BYD Europe and International Cooperation Division, said: “A vital principle of the BYD strategy is to work with the best partners. We have selected dealer groups with the expertise and geographic footprint to provide outstanding customer service. We will start building the network in territories where our partners are dominant and can best demonstrate and display our range of new models. We look forward to working with our partners as we build the BYD brand in the UK.”

The first BYD dealership partners include Arnold Clark, Lookers and Pendragon.

BYD has already launched across several European countries, including Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. Further UK dealer partners, product, and pricing information will be confirmed in the coming weeks.