The Chinese car manufacturer BYD has unveiled a small electric car named BYD Auto2 with the aim of competing with the American Jeep Avenger, before launching it for sale later this year.

The car is scheduled to be sold in the Chinese market under the name "Yuan Up" and belongs to the category of multi-purpose sporty vehicles (SUV) with front-wheel drive. It relies on the e-Platform3 used in the third generation of electric cars from BYD. This new car will fill the gap between the BYD Dolphin hatchback and the Auto3 models.

BYD hinted at its intention to launch the new car for sale in Europe, either with right-hand or left-hand drive, during 2025, but it did not provide any specific launch schedule. The company also did not reveal any pricing plans, but its classifications indicate that it will be sold in the UK for about 30,000 pounds sterling.

Alongside the small Jeep, the Chinese car will also compete with the new Mini Aceman and the awaited Smart #5 SUV, expected to be unveiled this year before being launched for sale in Europe in early next year.

Another model that the Auto2 aims to compete with is the Volkswagen ID2 X, a compact SUV scheduled to be launched worldwide in 2026 to replace the T-Cross model which operates with an internal combustion engine.

BYD did not provide any official technical details for the new five-seater car. However, information from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology indicates that the car’s length is 4.31 meters, its width is 1.83 meters, and its height is 1.67 meters, making it slightly smaller than the Auto3 that is sold in China under the name Yuan Plus.

Official data also indicate that the Auto2 will operate with a front electric motor producing 94 horsepower or 174 horsepower, which are the same motor specifications as the BYD Dolphin hatchback.

The car will also operate with a battery capacity of 32 kWh or 45.1 kWh to cover distances of 184 and 249 miles respectively. Europe