BYD To Launch Hyundai Creta/ Maruti eVX Challenging Electric SUV: Details

As Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India gear up for their entry into the mainstream EV market in 2025, BYD, the world’s second-largest electric carmaker, is also exploring similar opportunities. It is planning to launch a B-segment or midsize electric SUV priced around Rs 20 lakh, aiming to compete directly with the upcoming Hyundai Creta EV and Maruti Suzuki’s eVX. This could give BYD the attention it deserves in the Indian market.

The company has reportedly shortlisted a few models that could fit into this price range and fulfil the needs of the average Indian EV buyer. If its exploration concludes favourably, the new electric SUV could be launched in India by the second half of 2025. The vehicle is expected to target the growing demand for affordable electric SUVs, particularly in the 20-ish lakh range, where footfalls are rising on a daily basis.

Will it be the Atto2?

The BYD Atto2 is a smaller electric SUV that sits under the Atto3, and this could be the model that the Chinese automaker is contemplating for the Indian market. The BYD Atto2 sold in China is called the Yuan Up, and is based on the e-Platform 3.0, essentially the 3rd generation of the born-electric platform that the Chinese automaker now uses.

The BYD Atto2 measures 4,310 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width and 1,675 mm in height, which puts it right in the Hyundai Creta category, and given the fact that Hyundai will launch an electric version of the Creta early next year, the Atto2 could be the perfect competitor.

The BYD Atto2 gets two electric motor options with 94 Bhp and 174 Bhp outputs. A Blade battery with 32 kWh and 45.1 kWh capacities offering 300 km and 400 km of Chinese CLTC  range respectively is also on offer. For India, the more powerful electric motor and the bigger battery is likely to be picked.

BYD is considering showcasing the new model at the Bharat Mobility Show 2025. This event would serve as the ideal platform for it to gauge consumer interests, gather feedback, and assess the viability of these products in India’s competitive EV sector. Given the growing awareness and demand for electric vehicles here, the Expo could also help BYD refine its domestic strategies.

BYD Eyeing Broader EV Segments

Rajeev Chauhan, head of Electric Passenger Vehicles (EPV) Business at BYD India, in a conversation with Autocar Professional, highlighted the growing interest in the Rs 20 lakh- 50 lakh EV sector, stating, “There are many auto companies in India doing some small or big research, including ours. There is a plan to introduce an SUV priced between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 50 lakh, which will be decided based on the study’s outcome.”

This signals that BYD is actively assessing the market potential and is keen on finding the right business model to meet the needs of Indian consumers.

Chauhan also emphasized BYD’s focus on entering the Rs 15 lakh-25 lakh market, a segment that represents a large portion of India’s automotive sales. He mentioned that the company is currently gathering data and insights to build a strong business case before fully committing to this segment. This approach reflects BYD’s broader strategy of learning from the local market and tailoring its product range accordingly.

BYD’s entry into the Rs 20 lakh EV segment will place it in direct competition with established players like Tata Motors, which has been dominating the EV market in India and is on the route of aggressive portfolio expansion.

The Tata Nexon EV has had huge success here and the demand for the recently launched Curvv.EV is on the rise as well. Tata plans to introduce more EV models to strengthen its position further. Mahindra, another key player, is also preparing to launch a slew of born-electric SUVs, adding to the competition.

BYD’s Current Portfolio In India

The EV giant’s current Indian portfolio consists of three models- the E6, Atto 3 and Seal. The E6 is a 5-seater electric MPV, Atto 3 an SUV and the Seal a sporty electric sedan. The facelifted E6 is being readied to launch in India. It would, however, be renamed to eMAX7 upon launch. In many international markets, this vehicle has the name M6.

Though not confirmed, the eMAX 7 could come with 6 and 7-seater layouts, unlike the 5-seater only E6. Taking into account how BYD works with data on customer interests, this expectation sounds legit, as the demand for 7 seater SUVs is quite sizeable here.