KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 — Sime Darby Motors, the official exclusive distributor for Chinese automaker BYD, has today launched BYD's first fully electric vehicle (EV) on Malaysian shores — the Atto 3.
The fully electric Atto 3 is the first sports utility vehicle (SUV) built on BYD's advanced e-platform 3.0, which will serve as the first step in Sime Darby Motors and BYD's RM500 million partnership in accelerating the country's appetite for smart EVs and transition to a low-carbon mobility future.
“In line with our aim to be a leader in EV and with a view towards propelling Malaysia's EV aspirations, we are excited to embark on this new chapter with BYD following our success in Singapore.
“With half a billion ringgit set to be invested, this will support our aggressive expansion plans for the brand here and reflects our belief in the brand's universal appeal. BYD's lineup of world-class vehicles which feature premium specs at an attractive price point is set to be a game changer to spur EV adoption amongst Malaysians.
“The future is electric, and we have made no secret at all that we want to be a big part of that future,” managing director of Sime Darby Motors Andrew Basham, said at the grand launch held at Bandar Malaysia today.
International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who officiated the launch, also reiterated the consumer benefits of those who opt for EV cars as revealed during the tabling of Budget 2022 — which includes 100 per cent road tax exemption, tax exemptions for EV imports, and tax rebates for EV chargers installation.
The local price tag for the BYD Atto 3 is RM149,800 for the Standard Range and RM167,800 for the Extended Range.
Sime Darby Motors said that the Standard Range variant can travel up to 410km on a single charge with its battery capacity of 49.92kWh, while the Extended Range can travel up to 480km on a single charge with its battery capacity of 60.48kWh.
Both variants are powered by its BYD Blade Battery, which has lithium iron phosphate technologies.
BYD's first showroom is slated to open at TREC KL on Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, followed by three more showroom openings at Ara Damansara, Penang, and Johor by the first half of 2023 and more in 2024.
The Atto 3 will come in five colours — Surf Blue, Forest Green, Parkour Red, Boulder Grey, and Ski White.
The launch of Atto 3 will be followed by models E6, with the Seal (Atto 4) and Dolphin (EA1) to enter the Malaysian markets by the end of 2023.
