The Chinese automaker entered the Indian car market with the e6 compact MPV in November 2021, offering it as a commercial vehicle in eight cities. In August 2022, it extended the availability to private customers, broadening its customer base significantly. Last year, the company gave the electric MPV a facelift and renamed it eMax 7.
In November 2022, BYD drove in the Atto 3, one of its most popular models globally, with more than one million units delivered across markets. Given the significantly higher appeal of SUVs over MPVs in India, it was the company’s most significant launch in the country.
In March 2024, BYD introduced the Seal mid-size sedan in India, its first deliberate step into the country’s entry-luxury segment, targeting more affluent customers and elevating its brand position. In February this year, the company strengthened its presence in its space with the Sealion 7 mid-size SUV, its fourth passenger vehicle in the country.
Unlike in European countries and many other international markets, BYD does not offer plug-in hybrid models in India and only sells BEVs. With their prices falling in the range of 2,499,000 rupees to 4,490,000 rupees, far higher than the country’s average car selling price of 1.15 million rupees, they are pretty much out of reach for most customers. The company has started testing the Atto 2 in India and could launch it sometime next year, reducing its entry price to around 2 million rupees.
Deep localisation is the only way forward if BYD wants to truly scale up its car business and become a high-volume brand in India. The company has localised the Atto 3, but it only assembles it from imported CKD kits. As for eMax 7, Seal, and Sealion 7, it imports all of them in CBU form, which attracts hefty tariffs. Local reports say the Chinese automaker did want to set up a manufacturing plant but could not obtain the government’s nod. Thawing Indo-China relations of late might give BYD hope, but the company is unlikely to take any major step on this front in the immediate future.
business-standard.com, indiatimes.com
