Byton aims the M-Byte at premium SUV buyers against rivals such as the Mercedes EQC battery-powered crossover. The company plans to begin deliveries of the M-Byte in China in the middle of next year, followed by Europe and China in the first half of 2021. The M-Byte will start 53,550 euros in Germany including VAT. Byton expects more than half of the sales will be in China. The rest will be split between Europe and the U.S., Twohig said. Byton plans to sell most of its cars through online sales, relying on local distribution companies to deliver the cars and carry out servicing. The automaker will have just a small number of stores in big cities, Twohig said. Byton said it currently has more than 50,000 reservations worldwide for the M-Byte. It also plans to launch an electric sedan and electric minivan at a later date. Byton CEO Daniel Kirchert, a former BMW executive, said in EV hot spots, such as Norway and the Netherlands, "we see a very positive response." Europe is at "a tipping point" for acceptance of electric vehicles, he said. Byton aims to go ahead with U.S. sales even if there are high tariffs on imported vehicles from China. Tariffs would threaten the company's goal of selling vehicles at a starting price of about $45,000. Kirchert said. "We decided no matter what" Byton will launch in the United States, even at a higher price, he said.
Chinese carmaker Byton has revealed its the M-Byte crossover will feature an integrated, 48-inch display screen extending the length of the dashboard. Byton said the screen, the biggest in a production car, was part of the company's preparations for shared mobility and advanced, assisted driving. The first sales of M-Bytethe M-Byte are scheduled for China mid-2020, before expanding to Europe in H1 2021, and the car is expected to retail at €53,550 ($58,475) in Germany.