The new BYD Atto 2 DM-i hit the market in South Africa in the 2nd week of June 2026. So, how many units of SA’s most affordable PHEV were registered in its launch month?
- New Atto 2 breaks into 3 figures in partial month
- Ranked 4th in BYD’s stable for sales in June 2026
- Recently launched as SA’s most affordable PHEV
In the 2nd week of June 2026, the new BYD Atto 2 DM-i crossover officially hit the market in South Africa, arriving as Mzansi’s most affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). So, how many units were sold in the newcomer’s launch month?
Well, according to figures reported to industry-representative body Naamsa, BYD Auto SA registered 107 units of the Atto 2 in June 2026. For the record, 76 of those were sold through the dealer channel, with the remaining 31 examples reported as so-called “single” registrations (vehicles BYD Auto SA kept and licensed for its own use).
Therefore, the new Atto 2 accounted for some 15.9% of BYD Auto SA’s passenger-vehicle tally of 674 units in June 2026, and 13.4% of the new-energy vehicle brand’s overall total of 800 units (including the Shark 6 in the light commercial-vehicle segment). For the record, BYD Auto SA ranked 15th on the list of SA’s best-selling automakers last month.
The fully electric Dolphin Surf was again the Chinese firm’s top seller in June 2026, with 257 units registered. Next came the Sealion 6 PHEV (149 units), followed by the Shark 6 PHEV (126 units), the Atto 2 PHEV and the Sealion 5 PHEV (71 units).
The battery electric Dolphin managed 39 units, while the Atto 8 PHEV added 21 units. A trio of fully electric models closed out BYD’s sales portfolio in June, in the form of the Sealion 7 (17 units), Seal (7 units) and Atto 3 (6 units).
As a reminder, the Chinese automaker’s local division currently offers the Atto 2 DM-i in 2 flavours: Comfort and Dynamic. The former is priced from R449 900, while the more highly specified latter comes in at R489 900.
The SA-spec Atto 2 DM-i employs a PHEV powertrain comprising a 1.5-litre petrol engine, a front-mounted electric motor and a 7.85 kWh battery pack. The resulting peak outputs are 122 kW and 300 Nm. BYD Auto SA claims an all-electric range of 40 km (on the WLTP cycle), pushing total range to a listed 930 km.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How many units of the new BYD Atto 2 DM-i were registered in South Africa during its launch month?
A: Despite only hitting the market in the second week of June 2026, BYD Auto SA registered 107 units of the Atto 2. Within this total, 76 units were sold via the local dealer network, while the remaining 31 units were recorded as single registrations for internal brand use.
Q: Where did the Atto 2 rank within BYD’s overall local sales portfolio for June 2026?
A: It ranked fourth within BYD’s stable for the month, accounting for 15.9% of its passenger-vehicle total (674 units) and 13.4% of its overall brand volume of 800 units (which placed BYD 15th overall among SA’s automakers). It finished behind the Dolphin Surf (257 units), Sealion 6 (149 units) and the Shark 6 bakkie (126 units).
Q: What are the local pricing, trim options and powertrain specifications for the Atto 2 DM-i?
A: Arriving as South Africa’s most affordable PHEV, the Atto 2 DM-i is available in two trim levels: the Comfort priced from R449 900 and the Dynamic starting at R489 900. Both models utilise a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor and a 7.85 kWh battery to deliver 122 kW and 300 Nm, offering an all-electric WLTP range of 40 km and a total combined range of 930 km.
Related content
NEV sales in Q1 2026: PHEV market surges 430%
