EV scoops national title

BYD’s Atto 3 has been crowned the 2022 New Zealand Car of the Year by the New Zealand Motoring Writers’ Guild, which means electric vehicles (EVs) have now taken out the annual award four years in a row.

The vehicle scooped the prize despite being on sale here for less than a year, with New Zealand one of the Chinese marque’s first export destinations.

Warren Willmot, BYD’s national brand manager, says the company is “incredibly proud” the Atto 3, pictured, scooped the award ahead of 11 other finalists. 

“Our customers have taken a leap of faith with a new brand, of which most wouldn’t have heard of seven months ago,” he adds. “This award cements their purchasing decision was in line with expert opinions.”

Other EVs to have won the gong are Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 in 2021, the Mercedes-Benz EQC in 2020 and the Jaguar I-Pace in 2019.

Judges assess the finalists on a range of criteria including how the vehicle performs its intended role, its styling, ride and refinement, performance, value for money, and environmental responsibility.

The other vehicles vying for the 2022 honour were the BMW iX, Ford Everest, Hyundai i20 N, Kia EV6, Kia Sportage, Lexus NX, Mercedes-AMG EQS 53, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mitsubishi Outlander, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model Y.