Chinese EV price war

The BYD Atto 3 previously established itself as a dominant force in the Israeli market, becoming the first electric vehicle and the first Chinese car to rank as the country’s best-seller in 2023 and 2024. With 34,000 units currently on Israeli roads, the model’s success was built on a balance of size, equipment, and range during a period of favorable tax incentives. However, the market environment has shifted. According to Walla Car, the Israeli market is now saturated with Chinese competitors, and previous government benefits—such as registration fee discounts—have been canceled or reduced. To maintain its lead, BYD has introduced a facelifted version with a price cut of nearly 20,000 ILS.

Israeli Pricing and the Chinese Price War

The updated Atto 3 is now priced from 155,000 ILS for the rear-wheel-drive version and 165,000 ILS for the dual-motor version. This pricing strategy effectively returns the vehicle to its launch price from four years ago, which stood at 156,000 ILS. This aggressive pricing is not an isolated event. A combination of a falling US dollar and an intense price war among Chinese EV manufacturers has forced a downward correction. The Atto 3 now faces direct competition from the Deepal S05, Leapmotor B10, Jaecoo 5, and Aiion V. While the vehicle earns a high rating for performance, space, and its real-world range of approximately 400 km, some critics note that the exterior design remains too similar to the previous model and that ergonomics still require refinement.

Technical Upgrades: The 800V System and Blade 2.0

Under the hood, the third-generation Atto 3 moves to a more sophisticated architecture. Developed on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo, the vehicle now utilizes LFP batteries with capacity options of 57.5 kWh or 68.5 kWh. The shift to an 800V battery system dramatically reduces charging times. According to reporting from Vietnam.vn, the vehicle incorporates Blade 2.0 battery technology and Flash Charging. “compared to its predecessor, the BYD Atto 3 can also charge 10-97% of its battery capacity within 9 minutes under ideal conditions, thanks to its integrated super-fast charging technology.”Vietnam.vn This efficiency is paired with an increase in range. The model provides a maximum driving range of 540-630 km based on the CLTC cycle, representing an increase of 120 km over the previous generation.

Rear-Wheel Drive and Expanded Storage

The transition to rear-wheel drive (RWD) has allowed BYD to optimize the vehicle’s interior and exterior layout. By rearranging the drivetrain, the company has added significant utility to the B+ segment SUV. “Thanks to the move to rear-wheel drive, the new generation of BYD Atto 3 can accommodate an additional storage compartment of 180 liters under the hood, alongside the 750-liter trunk at the rear. In its third generation, BYD has become an electric SUV with rear-wheel drive, equipped with a single motor offering power options of 268 hp”Vietnam.vn The physical footprint has also grown. The new Atto 3 measures 4,665 mm in length, 1,895 mm in width, and 1,675 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,770 mm. To improve ride quality and handling, BYD integrated the DiSus-C damping system, iTAC 2.0 torque control, and TBC tire stability control.

China Sales Recovery and Order Surge

The launch of the third generation comes as a necessary correction for BYD in its home market. Before the new model’s release, the Yuan Plus (the Chinese name for the Atto 3) suffered a prolonged sales slump. In April, sales dropped to 5,111 units, a 21.9% decrease from March and a staggering 58.4% drop compared to the same period the previous year. The new generation appears to have halted this decline. In the first week of sales, the model received more than 30,000 orders in China. This surge follows a period of volatility in 2025, where monthly deliveries fluctuated between 12,255 units in May and 13,168 units in June.

Interior Tech and Autonomous Features

The cabin focuses on high-end digital integration. The cockpit features a floating central touchscreen running the latest DiLink system, supplemented by a head-up display (HUD) and an electronic gear shifter located behind the steering wheel. Passenger comfort is addressed through “queen-size” seats with leg rests, ventilated and heated front seats, and a 50W wireless charging pad. For safety and navigation, high-trim versions include the “God’s Eye B” advanced driver assistance system. This system utilizes LiDAR and 30 additional sensors to manage urban and highway navigation and enable automatic parking. As BYD continues to push the Atto 3 into new markets—including a July 2024 launch in Vietnam with Dynamic and Premium trims—the company is betting that technical superiority in charging and aggressive pricing will offset the increasing competition from other Chinese EV brands.

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