Prospective owners of the BYD Atto 3 electric SUV in Australia can now order their vehicle in a new colour called Forest Green.

    The finish was recently announced on local BYD distributor EVDirect’s social media and joins the existing exterior paint colour palette which comprises Ski White, Boulder Grey, Surf Blue, and Parkour Red.

    Like all the other exterior paint colours besides Ski White, Forest Green costs an additional $700. It’s also only available on new orders.

    At this stage there’s still only one interior upholstery option which is a two-tone blue and white artificial leather.

    Despite launching toward the end of last year and having a few launch teething problems, including a recent SIM privacy issue, the BYD Atto 3 was the third top-selling electric vehicle (EV) in Australia during 2022. Over 2000 examples were registered according to VFACTS data.

    The Atto 3 range recently received a price rise of $3630, with the range now starting at $48,011 before on-road costs for the Standard Range, and extending to $51,011 before on-road costs for the Extended Range.

    To date only Extended Range versions of the Atto 3 have been delivered locally, with the entry-level Standard Range set to arrive in Australia early this year.

    The Atto 3 won’t be alone for long though as there are two new BYD models set to go on sale in Australia this year.

    EVDirect CEO and managing director Luke Todd told CarExpert in December last year that the MG 4 and GWM Ora Good Cat-rivalling BYD Dolphin is set to launch in Australia in the first half of 2023.

    The exact date for when orders for the Dolphin open will be announced in February, said Mr Todd.

    The BYD Dolphin will be followed by the Tesla Model 3-rivalling Seal, which is set to launch in Australia in the second half of 2023.

    Mr Todd also confirmed in December last year BYD will launch an electric ute in 2024, which will form as a competitor to the LDV eT60, plus the incoming JAC T9 EV and (potentially) Geely Radar RD6.

    ‘New energy vehicle brand’ BYD is currently expanding at a rapid pace, rolling out its EVs in Europe, Japan, and Australia.

    In fact, the Warren Buffett-backed EV and battery supplier eclipsed three million EV and PHEV sales globally in November last year.

    BYD Auto wants to create a “powerful brand matrix” comprising BYD-branded cars, premium spinoff Denza, and another high-end brand called Yangwang.

    The latter of these brands was only recently revealed with the Mercedes-Benz EQG-rivalling quad-motor U8 electric SUV and the U9 electric supercar, which rivals the likes of the Aion Hyper SSR and Lotus Evija.

    The Chinese carmaker also plans to launch “another new brand” which will specialise in “professional and personalised identities, covering family cars and luxury cars”.

    “The brand will harness the co-creation with users and warmly welcome all the franchises dealerships to join BYD for its promotion,” it added, suggesting cars with higher degrees of personalisation.

    MORE: Everything BYD Atto 3

    Jack Quick

    Jack Quick is an automotive journalist based in Melbourne. Jack studied journalism and photography at Deakin University in Burwood, and previously represented the university in dance nationally. In his spare time, he loves to pump Charli XCX and play a bit of Grand Theft Auto. He’s also the proud owner of a blue, manual 2020 Suzuki Jimny.

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