BYD has seen a sharp growth in sales in its home market and now globally with multiple new export markets. This has included Australia where the brand has a mid-sized electric SUV on the EV sales podium this year – the BYD Atto 3 – and another knocking on the door, the BYD Dolphin.
Now, a more compact SUV has been spotted in the government regulatory framework run by the ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) and initially spotted by electrek.
The MIIT website shows a car that BYD calls Yuan Up and is available with a powertrain that can deliver up to 130 kW, powered by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that is likely to be BYD’s blade battery as used in the Atto 3.
The exact battery specifications are unknown at this stage but it’s likely to be similar to the Dolphin which is available locally in 44.9 kWh and 60.4 kWh.
From the front, it has a more traditional look, reminiscent of some other compact SUVs in the market. The charge port is located on the right side of the vehicle which is the same side as the current Atto 3 and Dolphin vehicles.
At the rear, a light bar appears to extend from one end of the car to the other. It also has a rear window wiper, just as that found on the Atto 3.
Unlike the Atto 3, a rear-diffuser-like section is seen on the rear bumper which could help with the efficiency of the vehicle.
Comparing it to the Atto 3, the Yuan Up is slightly shorter than the bigger model, coming in at 4,310 mm in length. It’s nearly the same size as the BYD Dolphin which comes in at 4,290 mm.
MIIT’s listing also shows various external features of the new model. It includes the various options for wheels that are available, hinting more than one variant to be on offer when this vehicle is officially unveiled.
In recent months, BYD’s sales have reached new highs as the company aims to reach its 3 million new energy vehicle (NEV) target.
Part of this has also included global exports that have led to multiple successful launches since originally revealing the Atto 3 in February 2022, under the local distributor, EV Direct.
Since then, BYD has revealed multiple new models in its home market that are likely to reach export markets in the coming years. These include the Seagull, Sealion and now the Yuan up.
The market for compact SUVs is growing as drivers move away from traditional hatchbacks and sedans so the Yuan up is placed well in that market segment.
BYD’s other vehicles have appeared in the MIIT’s system 3-6 months before officially being unveiled to the public. The Yuan Up will likely be unveiled at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition being held in April 2024. More details are also expected to be released in the coming months.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.