What lies at the heart of Singapore's best selling brand (when counting only authorised-dealer registrations) for 2024 thus far?
Just a week after surprised shoppers were greeted by a four-car lineup in Jurong Point, BYD is giving West-siders reason to rejoice again by bringing its cars to IMM - this time, with a roadshow helmed by its first and largest dealer, Vantage Automotive.
Among the trio of cars present here, the most magnetic star is a car that more than 2,000 people have already made their vehicle of choice across the first six months of 2024: The BYD Atto 3. (In fact, when Sgcarmart visited the roadshow on Monday afternoon, 29 July 2024, it was hard to get a clean shot of the car because the crowd of people surging around the car seemed never-ending.)
It's easy to see the Atto 3's appeal. Sticking smartly to the crossover trend of today, the car's 'Dragon Face' design philosophy gives it a stylish exterior for starters - replete with LED light strips up front and at the rear - that doesn't feel too over the top.
But perhaps more importantly, step into the Atto 3 and one will find a car that's not only spacious for the entire family, but packed full of features and equipment too.
Its dedicated electric platform gives it a long wheelbase of 2,720mm, which, when coupled with its panoramic sunroof and tall body, means space for rear passengers is fantastic. Other expensive-feeling touches include its powered front seats, and electronic tailgate.
And of course, the Atto 3's 60.5kWh battery gives it a very commendable all-electric range of up to 420km (WLTP-rated) - good for a week of driving in Singapore.
As we've noted previously the 2024 update for the Atto 3 has made it even more compelling, with the crossover now riding on more premium tyres, and gaining a larger 15.6-inch infotainment screen. The cherry on top of the icing is that the 100kW (134bhp) produced by its single motor makes it eligible for a Category A COE.
Likewise, the BYD Seal works great as a family runabout too - but its target audience is slightly different: As a more driver-oriented car, offering good levels of engagement when on the road, and of course, rear-wheel drive.
It's arguably the most stylish of the lot too, sporting features such as pop-out door handles, an X-shaped front end, and a sculpted light bar at the rear, with a rear diffuser underneath. And on the inside, the space feels premium, modern, and well put-together with its crystal gear-knob shifter, a tinted glass roof, and its quilted seats.
Still, for those scared off by the taxes bound to more powerful electric vehicles (EVs), the recently-introduced Seal Dynamic 100kW (present at the roadshow) also proves you can have your cake and eat it, with its powertrain making it eligible for a Category A COE. You'll be able to mark it out most immediately by its 19-inch wheels, which come with their own specific rims.
Between its two siblings - one of them a bestselling crossover and the other a quietly cool sedan - the Dolphin might seem like the shy little brother, but don't count it out just yet.
For those who think EVs can't be quirky, the Dolphin also shows that you can infuse your car with a bit more character by offering buyers quite a good mix of 'safer' and 'more adventurous' colours.
These include Sand White and Urban Grey on the one hand, and Maldive Purple and Coral Pink on the other. On the inside, the Dolphin also offers three dual-tone interiors to choose from too, including the exclusive and lovely Pink/Grey combination you'll find in the Coral Pink Dolphin at IMM.
Aesthetic appeal aside, the Dolphin's value also lies in its wealth of equipment, which likewise include front ventilated seats that can be electronically adjusted, one of the largest infotainment screens (12.8-inches) you can find in a compact hatchback, and a central armrest in its spacious rear bench. The rear is also where you'll note just how much space the Dolphin offers despite its small size, thanks to its 2,700mm wheelbase.
Furthermore, the efficiency of BYD's Blade Battery design means that even though the Dolphin is powered by a similarly small-sized 44.9kWh battery, it can still travel quite far on a full charge. A full charge gives the car up to 340km of range (WLTP-rated) - just right for the city.
Speaking of which, Vantage Automotive's BYD roadshow at IMM is also presenting visitors the chance to learn both about its battery technology, as well as overall electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Singapore.
Via standees placed around the atrium, visitors can learn about how BYD's Blade Battery design makes it one of the safest and most energy efficient in the business, as well as explore how support is continuing to grow for those who buy an EV now.
For those keen on joining the more-than 2,500 buyers who have already dived into the BYD brand in 2024 so far, Vantage Automotive is offering roadshow visitors special deals to sweeten the buying experience further.
As part of an ongoing promotion to celebrate the dealer's recently-opened BYD flagship showroom, buyers of BYD's Cat A models will get to enjoy a $13,000 discount when they opt for a guaranteed COE (under the Excite Package).
Buyers can also look forward to up to $3,000 worth of BYD ownership privileges - such as the installation of a wallbox charger at home for those living on landed property.
These benefits are built atop of the robust aftersales support the brand has put together for BYD-owners already thus far, which include an eight-year battery warranty, six years of free servicing and vehicle warranty, and charging discounts of up to 20% for the first three years.
The BYD roadshow by Vantage Automotive can now be visited at the Level 1 atrium of IMM (right next to Yakun), and can be visited from 10:00am to 10:00pm daily, till next Monday (5 August 2024).
