Report: Chinese BYD to Sell Plug-In Hybrid in U.S. by 2010
At last year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chinese automaker BYD surprised industry pundits by bringing an advanced concept for a dual mode hybrid to its stand. Now the battery specialist (BYD’s parent company is also one of the world’s biggest suppliers of rechargeable batteries) claims to be moving the game on even further, saying that it will bring a plug-in hybrid vehicle to the U.S. market by 2010.
BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu has said that the new hybrid, which is most likely to come in the form of the F3 sedan pictured above, will be able to travel up to around 68 miles on electric power alone.
In addition to its previous hybrid concept experience, the plug-in plans are also being greatly bolstered by an alleged investment of $230 million from rich guy Warren Buffet, which should go a long ways towards developing the safety features needed for U.S. regulations. BYD is reportedly getting help with the safety standards via “third-party consulting and engineering companies.”
Despite the fact that BYD doesn’t currently sell any hybrid in its home market, the company has lofty sales goals for the plug-in already—hoping to make the car available not only in the U.S. and China, but eventually in Europe as well.
+ Motor Authority: China's BYD to sell plug-in hybrid in U.S. by 2010
Comments
oollyoumn
68 miles! that is 60% further than the projection for the Volt and will likely be to market soon as the Volt will not make it any earlier that December of 2010 per GM's projections. I hope it will be much less than the $40k Volt price (ouch!).
chartguy
I'll be very, very surprised if it EVER makes it to the US. With the swings in forex markets, and economic turmoil, this car will not be imported o the US.
kdude
It looks like a last-gen Corolla. Probably lacks the same build quality, though.
Everybody have fun tonight. Everybody Wang Chuanfu tonight.
tom
I don't really care if they copy the whole line of Toyota cars. Just get the damn car out already. Other big company are bsing. Toyota and Honda used to copy American and then they start copying each each other. Corolla and Civil all look the same. So I don't really care for look just don't printed pink.
Post new comment