Image: BYD official image
BYD has submitted regulatory documents in China for a new-generation Seagull, a small electric hatchback that is already familiar to Nepali buyers under the Atto 1 name.
Bigger than today’s Atto 1
According to filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the new Seagull grows to about 4,205 mm in length and 2,650 mm wheelbase, making it roughly 40 cm longer than the current model and bringing it close to the size of the BYD Dolphin.
For Nepali context, the Seagull/Atto 1 currently sold here is positioned as an A00-class city EV. A larger body and longer wheelbase in the next generation would mean:
- noticeably more rear-seat space and comfort for family use
- more practical boot capacity for luggage on trips like Kathmandu–Pokhara
- overall footprint still compact enough for city roads and tight parking spaces
If and when this updated version reaches Nepal, it could shift the Atto 1 from a pure city car into a more versatile small family hatchback.
Stronger performance, same LFP battery tech
The new Seagull uses a permanent magnet motor rated at about 95 kW (127 hp), a big jump from the current car’s roughly 55 kW unit. Top speed is listed around 150 km/h.
For Nepali buyers, this step-up in power would translate to:
- easier hill climbs on routes like Thankot–Naubise and Dhulikhel
- better highway acceleration for overtakes, important on single-lane highways
Both variants in China continue with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, similar to BYD’s existing Blade battery tech already used in Nepal. That suggests any future Nepal-spec upgrade would likely keep the same safety and longevity characteristics that local buyers and fleet operators value.
Optional LiDAR and advanced ADAS
A key change is the availability of an upper variant with LiDAR, plus front, rear and side radars. This is expected to support more advanced driver-assistance features such as urban navigation assist.
If BYD and its Nepali distributor choose to bring this high-spec version, it could become one of the first entry-level EVs in Nepal with LiDAR-based ADAS, offering:
- more sophisticated lane-keeping and adaptive cruise on long highway drives
- better safety assistance in low-visibility conditions common in fog and heavy rain
However, advanced sensors would likely push prices higher than the current Atto 1, and BYD may opt to limit such features to premium trims.
Impact on prices and competition in Nepal
In China, the current LiDAR-equipped Seagull variant starts around the equivalent of Rs 15–16 lakh. After adding Nepal’s import duties, taxes and dealer margins, the present Atto 1/Seagull has been positioned around the Rs 28–33 lakh bracket here, competing with small EVs like the Tata Tiago EV and Citroën ë-C3.
If the larger, more powerful Seagull replaces today’s car globally, Nepali buyers can expect:
- possible price creep versus the current Atto 1, justified by more space and performance
- stronger value pressure on rival budget EVs from India and China, which may respond with feature updates or discounts
BYD has not yet announced international launch timing for this new Seagull. For now, the model available in Nepal remains the existing Atto 1/Seagull, but this filing offers a clear preview of how BYD’s next wave of affordable EVs for markets like Nepal could look.
Current prices on Nepal AutoMart
- BYD ATTO 1 price in Nepal: Rs 29.75 lakh – Rs 33.8 lakh ex-showroom, 2 variants
Reported by the Nepal AutoMart news desk. Prices verified against Nepal AutoMart's own distributor-sourced data.
