At the BYD ATTO 3 launch, commits 100 charging stations by 2025
AC Motors is tightening the connections in its electric vehicle plans in the country with the entry of the latest vehicle in the BYD line-up, the Atto 3 hatchback. Simultaneously, it is setting up 100 charging stations at selected Ayala Land properties and projects all over the country by 2024.
Powered by BYD’s proprietary lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery, the Atto 3 has a 480km range for the Premium variant and 410 kms of the standard Dynamic model. The range covers most extended distances to put range anxiety to rest in long journeys. With a maximum power output of 204ps and peak torque of 310Nm, the EV delivers exhilarating acceleration, reaching 0-100kph in just 7.3 seconds.
Innovations include a first-in-class 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen infotainment display that provides a comprehensive and intuitive interface for vehicle control, navigation, and connectivity. The luxurious interior features a panoramic sunroof and premium leather trim for the Premium version.
Safety remains a top priority for BYD, and the Atto 3 is meticulously equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control, LED illumination, and front and side curtain airbags. The ADAS Package further enhances safety with Stop & Go Full Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC-S&G), Automatic Emergency Braking System (AEB), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA).
At P1.598M for the entry-level, Atto 3 Dynamic with and P1.798M for the Atto 3 Premium the vehicles are priced very competitively and may eat up market share from Nissan Leaf or hybrids like the Corolla Cross, according to some motoring journalists.
According to BYD the Atto 3 crossover showcases some of the most advanced EV technologies available in the world today. Over 500,000 of the cars have been produced since September 15, 2023. Named after the attosecond–the smallest timescale used in physics, represents the remarkable speed at which BYD’s battery and EV technology evolved.
AC Motors chairman Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala said at the November 17 new Atto 3 launch at Glorietta Activity Center in Makati, that his company has studied and is working on building the critical infrastructure necessary to prompt more EV sales.
“We remain committed to our goal of becoming the leading EV platform in the Philippines, in support as well of the Philippine government’s own ambition of transforming half of all cars on the roads into electric vehicles by 2040,” he said emphasizing how the charging stations to be built will be offered free-to-use to all EV owners for a year.
The Ayala-led AC Motors already has 20 charging stations mostly in Manila and in major cities in Luzon. There is a charging station up North at the Ayala Technohub and one in Nuvali Estates in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Other stations are found in Vertis North, TriNoma in Quezon City, One Ayala, Greenbelt, in Makati, and one at Seda BGC. These charging stations are currently 22KW units, but Ayala also has two 60 KW stations exclusively for the use of PUVs and the Get Comet EV bus.
As AC Motors is developing this charging station infrastructure, that will also benefit its other EV brand, Kia, whose EV6 has been positioned as a luxury executive electric vehicle it will close deals with select partners and build in “every Ayala estate possible and beyond” to ensure that that the charging infrastructure will grow at the pace of the expected sales of electric vehicles.
At the brand of launch of BYD last August, the AC Motors chairman told Malaya Business Insight that once the new vehicles come in it “will trigger all of the company’s actions to ensure it leadership in the EV space and deliver the Ayala brand of quality and service,” to its customers.
James Ng, BYD Managing Director for the Philippines and Singapore said that the Atto 3 has been successful in all the markets it was launched in. He explained that target customers include young professionals whose daily commute is within the city as well as working adults with small families. Ng reiterated the convenience of the Atto 3 because it comes equipped with its own 7KW home charger which can charge the vehicle in from 25 percent to full in about 5 hours overnight.
For his part BYD president Toti Zara reiterated that the target is to achieve 35% market share by adding to add 12 to 14 additional dealers by next year in on track. “There are already two BYD showrooms in Makati and Quezon Ave. It is expected that another 2 to 4 dealers will be added by the first quarter of 2024,” Zara mentioned.
