Tech Desk
Aug 19, 2024
Build Your Dreams (BYD) is ready to launch its new electric vehicles (Evs) in Pakistan soon. The automotive manufacturer is recognised as the world’s leading EV maker in sales and production.
BYD’s entry into Pakistan marks a major milestone in the country’s automotive industry. The company is set to introduce three models as its initial offering.
BYD in a launch event that happened yesterday in Lahore, announced the three vehicles that will be available in Pakistan — BYD Atto 3 (EV), BYD Seal (EV), and Sealion 6 (PHEV).
BYD Atto 3
BYD said that “Atto” was inspired by the attosecond, the smallest time scale unit in physics, defining EV as “speedy, energetic, and dynamic”.
It integrates a 150 kW (201 hp; 204 PS) front-wheel drive electric motor generating 310 N⋅m (31.6 kg⋅m; 229 lb-ft) of torque, powered by BYD’s proprietary lithium iron phosphate (LFP) blade battery. It is available in two battery pack options — the 49.92 kWh unit can travel 430 km.
Read more: Upcoming car releases in Pakistan for 2024
The standard range has a 0-100km time of 7.9 seconds, while the expanded range would do the same in 7.3 seconds.
BYD Seal
The BYD Seal is a battery-electric mid-size fastback sedan. It is the second car of BYD’s “Ocean Series” after the smaller BYD Dolphin vehicle.
The Seal uses many ocean-inspired design features. The exterior design sports a low hood, pop-out door handles, and a long taillamp. The dashboard air vents of the Seal have a wavy pattern. The Seal boasts a 61.4 kWh or 82.5 kWh LFP blade battery pack, which can be charged by a DC fast charger at 110 or 150 kW (depending on the model). BYD claimed a domestic driving range between 550 and 700 kilometres.
The Seal’s top speed is limited to 180 kilometres per hour (110 mph), and the 0–100 km/h acceleration is around 7.5 seconds for the standard models and 3.8 seconds for its all-wheel drive (AWD) Performance model.
BYD Sealion 6
BYD Sealion 6 is a plug-in hybrid SUV. The Sealion 6 Dynamic is powered by a 78kW/135Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a 145kW/300Nm motor charged by an 18.3kWh ‘Blade’ battery.
While the Sealion 6 Premium uses a 96kW/220Nm 1.5L turbo petrol engine version, a 150kW/300Nm motor up front and a 120kW/250Nm motor out back, for AWD.
It gives a result of 238kW of maximum power and 550Nm of maximum torque. The BYD Sealion 6 Dynamic sprints from zero to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds, while the BYD Sealion 6 Premium with the turbo and integrated electric motor slash that 0-100km/h time to 5.9s. The top speed is around 170km/h.
Hubco Chief Exceutive Officer CEO Kamran Kamal addressed the attendees and briefed them about the plans for BYD in Pakistan. He added that Mega Motors Co and BYD would introduce three state-of-the-art flagship stores in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
Kamal stated: “We plan to set up 20 to 25 dealerships across the country within the first three years.”
He explained the company’s aim for every third Pakistani to own a BYD car within five years. He highlighted that the company is committed to producing BYD vehicles accessible to every Pakistani who wants to own a car.
“We will build the first state-of-the-art New Energy Vehicle (NEV) assembly plant in Karachi,” Kamal unveiled, adding that the company plans to establish electric car charging stations in major cities and along motorways and highways to alleviate range anxiety for customers.
Kamal also highlighted the potential for Pakistan to become an export hub for BYD vehicles, claiming that the country can play a major role in the global EV market.
