Detroit, Michigan — In its third year at the NAIAS, China’s BYD made quite a resounding statement. According to Henry Li, General Manager, Vehicle Export, BYD will become the number one automaker in its domestic market by 2015 and across the globe by 2025!
The brand that stands for "Build Your Dreams" started in 1995 as a battery manufacturer. Over the years, it progressively became the world’s leading maker of rechargeable batteries.
Its automobile division was created only in 2003. Similar to many Chinese manufacturers, BYD skyrocketed on sales charts, with about 450,000 light-duty vehicles sold in China in 2009, a 160-percent increase over 2008. Now fourth among domestic automakers, BYD’s ambitious goal for 2010 is to sell 800,000 units!
An electric BYD
Like most other companies at this year’s Detroit show, BYD flashed its environmental colours. The e6 electric crossover van, originally introduced a year earlier at the very same event, is expected to arrive on the North American market by the end of 2010.
Sizewise, the five-passenger BYD e6 is similar to a Dodge Journey. Its unique powertrain design with lithium-ion iron phosphate battery allows a range of about 330 kilometres in optimum conditions and a top speed of 140 km/h. It can also sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 14 seconds or less.
The company claims that only 15 to 20 minutes are necessary to restore half the battery’s capacity using a high-voltage charging station. A household station would also be offered to customers for a full overnight charge.
Flexible pricing… at least at first!
Henry Li believes that pricing for the e6 will hover around US$40,000. "We’ll probably sell it for less than that, maybe even with a loss at first," he said to a herd of inquiring journalists following the press conference.
On the other hand, he insisted on the low cost of ownership of the e6. For the average user, the monthly bill would be a third of a comparable internal combustion engine-equipped vehicle.
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| The BYD e6, an electric crossover van, will be the first vehicle sold in North America by the Chinese brand. Market release is scheduled for the end of 2010. |
The brand that stands for "Build Your Dreams" started in 1995 as a battery manufacturer. Over the years, it progressively became the world’s leading maker of rechargeable batteries.
Its automobile division was created only in 2003. Similar to many Chinese manufacturers, BYD skyrocketed on sales charts, with about 450,000 light-duty vehicles sold in China in 2009, a 160-percent increase over 2008. Now fourth among domestic automakers, BYD’s ambitious goal for 2010 is to sell 800,000 units!
An electric BYD
Like most other companies at this year’s Detroit show, BYD flashed its environmental colours. The e6 electric crossover van, originally introduced a year earlier at the very same event, is expected to arrive on the North American market by the end of 2010.
Sizewise, the five-passenger BYD e6 is similar to a Dodge Journey. Its unique powertrain design with lithium-ion iron phosphate battery allows a range of about 330 kilometres in optimum conditions and a top speed of 140 km/h. It can also sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 14 seconds or less.
The company claims that only 15 to 20 minutes are necessary to restore half the battery’s capacity using a high-voltage charging station. A household station would also be offered to customers for a full overnight charge.
Flexible pricing… at least at first!
Henry Li believes that pricing for the e6 will hover around US$40,000. "We’ll probably sell it for less than that, maybe even with a loss at first," he said to a herd of inquiring journalists following the press conference.
On the other hand, he insisted on the low cost of ownership of the e6. For the average user, the monthly bill would be a third of a comparable internal combustion engine-equipped vehicle.
 |
| Sizewise, the five-passenger BYD e6 is similar to a Dodge Journey. |