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BYD confirms 2011 U.S. launch for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles

 
4 1,723 views Jan 13, 2009

byd auto f3dm plug in hybrid 08

The BYD F3DM is regarded as the world’s first mass produced plug-in hybrid and is headed to the U.S. in 2011

The BYD F3DM is regarded as the world’s first mass produced plug-in hybrid and is headed to the U.S. in 2011

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Chinese manufacturer BYD is planning to have vehicles on sale in the U.S. within two years, with similar ambitions for the European market. The company took a step closer to reaching those goals by launching the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicle in China last month, and at this week’s Detroit Auto Show it confirmed that it plans to enter the U.S. with a range of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

BYD's future lineup will include the F3DM and the battery-powered e6, a mid-size five-passenger crossover vehicle with a driving range of up to 250 miles on a single charge. Speaking in Detroit this week, BYD chief Wang Chuanfu also said the company plans to set up manufacturing facilities in the U.S. "when it is appropriate."

At the heart of BYD’s technology is its proprietary Fe battery, which the company claims is extremely safe, environmentally friendly, affordable, and can be quick-charged to 50% capacity in only 10 minutes.

The Fe battery is used in the e6 electric crossover vehicle, as well as BYD's new ‘Dual Mode’ family of plug-in hybrid vehicles, including the F3DM compact sedan and the upcoming F6DM midsize sedan. The Dual Mode name refers to the pure-electric and petrol-electric hybrid driving modes available.

BYD is currently "talking to some third-party consulting and engineering companies to get a thorough understanding of the safety standards" in the U.S., an important ingredient for success in the world’s biggest car market.
BYD Auto F3DM plug-in hybrid

HI-RES GALLERY: byd auto f3dm plug in hybrid 08




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Comments (4)

  1. ma_JSH avatar JSH Posted: 1/13/2009 5:39am PST

    I'll believe it when I see it on sale at my local BYD dealership. To make the 2011 goal they have 18 months to be shipping vehicles from China.

    To date no Chinese manufacturer has been able to meet US crash and emission standards even when working with a US manufacturer. It is one thing to hire consulting and engineering companies to learn what you need to do to meet requirements. It is completely another to redesign and retool a vehicle.

    BYD not only has to build a car that meets regulations they also have to set up a dealer network.
     
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  2. ma_SuperSkyline89 avatar SuperSkyline89 Posted: 1/13/2009 7:04am PST

    Build a car that meets regulations? I think you mean copy the design of someone elses car that meets regulations, that thing is a damn Toyota Corolla with a different badge.
     
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  3. ma_samuelesm avatar samuelesm Posted: 1/13/2009 8:02pm PST

    SuperSkyline89, actually the front, is Corrola the rear is Daewoo Tosca. I hate (almost all but some are okay) Chinese products because all they do is cheat, infest their products with lead and other bad stuff, copy, and use the cheapest materials. Japanese and Korean products are made with quality even if its made in China I don't think you know what I mean but oh well.
     
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  4. ma_SuperSkyline89 avatar SuperSkyline89 Posted: 1/14/2009 4:54am PST

    No I get what you mean, it's the attitudes of the companies behind the cars that leads to poor design and quality. The workers simply bolt together the parts they're given. The Japanese and Koreans strive to design quality products and whereas the Chinese simply stockpile sales brochures and take bits that they like from them.
     
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