BYD is offering the standard range and long-range versions of the Atto 3 in Malaysia at a starting price of Malaysia Ringgit 149,800 ($34,050) and 167,800 respectively.

"BYD ATTO 3 is the first among a wide range of BYD vehicles set to be introduced in Malaysia. With competitive prices and high-quality services, we will increase the presence of electric vehicles in Malaysia, contributing to Malaysia's low carbon mobility program," said Andrew Basham, Managing Director of Sime Darby Motors.

The BYD Atto 3, known as the Yuan Plus in China, went on sale in China on February 19 and is currently priced from RMB 137,800 yuan ($19,800).

The model is BYD's first global model, which opened for pre-sale in Australia under the Atto 3 name at the time of its launch in China.

To date, the BYD Atto 3 is available in more countries including New Zealand, Thailand, Laos, India, Singapore, Cambodia, Costa Rica, and Europe.

The model measures 4,455 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width and 1,615 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,720 mm.

The BYD Yuan Plus sold in China is equipped with a drive motor with a peak power of 150 kW and a peak torque of 310 Nm and an acceleration time of 7.3 seconds from 0-100 km/h.

In addition to making the Atto 3 available, BYD also made a brief appearance of the Dolphin and Seal models at the launch yesterday.

BYD entered the Malaysian market in 2014, though it started its growth in the local market by offering commercial vehicles and assembling its electric buses locally.

To date, BYD's offerings in Malaysia include electric buses, cabs, forklifts, and electronics. Its battery and innovative energy product development and assembly operations are also carried out in Malaysia.