BYD to mass produce electric car!

Well, I am impressed! Bring it to the States, BYD! It is enough range for the type of travel I like to do here in Arizona. I know it's too early to talk about price, or even if BYD plans to import this pup in to the U.S. I do remember reading about plans from BYD to export to the U.S., though I don't remember it being this particular model of car.

The body design looks clean and crisp, body design would not have to be sacrificed in order to go "green", in comparison to a homely looking "green" model like the Toyota Prius.

This company has a solid future exporting worldwide, if these cars can pass safety tests and get all of the necessary homologation work done for each particular market. Wow, I will be coming to the BYD threads often it appears! I am tired of ICE propulsion technologies, I wonder how much pollution is expended making this BYD e6, too. Something tells me that Mitsubishi produced a lot more pollution making my 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS than BYD takes making this new e6 all-EV.

Mitsubishi makes an all-EV called the i-MIEV that I am watching development of very closely. It has a range of about 100 miles and can go 85 mph. 0-60 mph in about 10 seconds. They have developed a plug-in re-charger for the i-MIEV that takes about a half hour to get an 80% re-charge. Otherwise a 220 volt plug-in re-charge will take you about 12 hours or so.

The Mitsubishi i-MIEV and the BYD e6 all-EV's are the two cars, so far, I will pick from to replace my '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS. Unless, of course, I choose to retro-fit my Lancer GTS to have all-electric propulsion technology! There is an American company now at work doing this for people that are interested.

BYD to sell electric cars in Israel by 2009

August 07, 2008

Shanghai, August 7 (Gasgoo.com) China's BYD Automobile Co Ltd said Tuesday it will start to sell mass rechargeable electric cars in Israel by 2009, with other European market followed in the following years, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

"BYD plans to sell BYD E6 Electric and Plug-in Hybrid F6DM in Israel, a country that strongly supports environmental technologies," an BYD official in charge of the company's export operations said.

The Israeli government announced early this year an ambitious plan to install the world's first electric car network in Israel by 2011. Moreover, the country offers big tax cuts for electric cars.

BYD's E6 electric vehicles, set for sale in 2009 in Israel, will be a 5 seater with an acceleration of 0 to 100 kph of around 10 seconds. Top speed should be top speed of 160 kph (100 mph), and the battery pack, which is located under the rear passenger seats, will be based on BYD's own lithium-ion iron phosphate technology.

F6DM is a mid-sized sedan to be launched in China in the second half of 2008. Top speed should be 100 mph (160 kph), with a range of 62 miles (100 km) in all-electric mode and 267 miles (430 km) total after the gas engine kicks in. A fully electric version called the F6E is planned for 2009.

http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/7354/BYD-to-sell-electric-cars-in-Israel-by-2009.html

BYD iron based rechargeable battery





High Safety Performance

Thermal stability, cathode material and strict design process help Fe battery meet all requirements of safety related regulations.

High Energy Density

The Fe battery can deliver 2 times higher voltage than NiMH battery.

Low Cost

The Fe Battery is comparatively inexpensive when compared to other energy solutions.

Environment-Friendly

This battery is environmental-friendly because it does not contain any pollutants.

Outstanding Performance

This battery has many other excellent characteristics, such as long cycle life, wide temperature range, and large discharge capacity at high levels.

BYD F3 Hybrid - 100,000rmb to 130,000rmb

August 18, 2008 - BYD are about to make automotive history by launching the cheapest hybrid motor onto the world, starting at 100,000rmb (14,000USD) the BYD F3 Hybrid is certainly the cheapest, a lot cheaper than the base Toyota Prius ($21,000USD)

The F3 Hybrid will be formally known as the BYD F3DM once it is launched at the end of the year, DM stands for Dual Mode. BYD will also be launching a ‘pure electric’ BYD F3, although we are currently unaware of any launch dates for that particular model, or if it will even see Chinese domestic sales. The BYD F3 DM is likely to be at the forefront of any march into the European sales arena, for those who question BYD’s safety record, the F3 passed a Russian crash test to European NCAP standards several months ago.

Previously, BYD said the famous BYD F1 would be a 20,000rmb car, however as the launch date came closer the price of the car also increased! Many Chinese commentators on the F3 DM were vastly in support of the ground breaking F3 DM, but some were distracted by the previous F1 price debacle.

Technical specifications on the BYD F3 DM were not immediately available from BYD, or media reports, but we wait with great anticpation for more information.

BYD are also planning to launch other DM vehicles over the next few years, including SUVs, and MPV’s which will follow the design of the current F3.

Click to expand...

source: China Car Times

Clash of titans: IDB in separate electric car talks

24 Aug 08


IDB Holding Corp. Ltd. (TASE:IDBH) is near to "closing final details" on its own electric car venture with Chinese car manufacturer BYD Auto. The venture would rival that of Shai Agassi's Project Better Place.

Israeli sources inform "Globes" that Discount Investment Corporation (TASE: DISI) is the representative party with the Chinese.

Israel's grandiose call to end its "dependence on oil" and its plans to launch nationwide infrastructure for recharging electric cars attracted attention worldwide and especially in China. In early August, company executives were quoted by Chinese news agency Xinhua as saying the company intended to market an electric car and a rechargeable hybrid car in Israel.

The executives were quoted following a visit by company executives to Israel. They reported being very excited by their visit, and their director of exports pointed to a meeting with President Shimon Peres who "enthusiastically supported" development of an electric car.

BYD completed development of its five-seater F3 electric car model two years ago, and is working as well on a minivan-type model. (There is currently a F3 model with a gas-powered engine). Its electric motor is powered by an innovative Lithium iron phosphate battery.

The parent company of the car manufacturer is Chinese battery concern BYD (HK: 0285) one of the world's largest battery manufacturers. This fact gives the small car company access to substantial R&D resources.

IDB, led by Nochi Dankner, is involved in nearly all areas of Israel's economy, but until now has not been directly involved in automobile imports. However, at least two of its strategic partners have quite a bit of experience in the field. The Lubinsky family, which has a 25% holding, is the importer of Peugeot and Citroen, and has a wide network of service and logistics centers. The Livnat family, who also holds 25%, has experience in Israel's truck industry, and in the past four years has garnered much experience in car imports in Croatia, where it holds the franchise for Ford imports.

As such, it is possible that Israel will soon witness the entry of Nochi Dankner's conglomerate into a project which will eventually compete with Project Better Place and the Ofer brothers, in the electric car infrastructure in Israel - and abroad, as well. It may or may not display the same Israeli-Sino cooperation model that the Ofers have with Chinese vehicle manufacturer Chery Automobile. It is also still not known if at some point there will be some form of collaboration on the infrastructure.

What is clear, is that a field which has yet to get off the ground is already the focus of different ventures, and if two different recharging infrastructures are put in place, it will certainly lead to consumer confusion. It is also clear that this is a field for giants, and that smaller firms will have a very hard time getting into it.

http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/DocView.asp?did=1000375018&fid=1725

IDB to face stiff resistance to Chinese car imports

26 Aug 08


Chinese car manufacturer BYD has already granted licenses to rivals.


"The IDB unit, which is negotiating for the franchise to import BYD electrical cars to Israel, could face stiff competition in the Israeli automobile sector," a senior market source told "Globes" yesterday. He was commenting in response to the report in "Globes" that IDB Holding Corp. Ltd. (TASE:IDBH) is in talks with Chinese car maker BYD for a franchise to import electric cars to Israel.
The source added that Hamizrach, the Israeli importer of Land Rover, already holds a BYD franchise, signed by the company's representative in Israel. The source believes that Hamizrach has been promoting BYD cars in Israel since last year, although it has not singled out the Chinese maker's electric models.

The source also believes a third player, Mayer Cars and Trucks Ltd., the importer of Volvo and Honda, is also angling for a franchise from BYD and is still very much in the picture. "Globes" understands that senior Mayer managers recently held talks with representatives from BYD. Jacob Shachar confirmed to "Globes" that a meeting had been held between the two sides.

Automobile sector sources believe that IDB is apparently seeking to expand a BYD franchise to other markets in Eastern Europe, one of which could be Croatia. BYD reportedly views Israel as a "test site" for its electric cars. The company is therefore likely to market both these and its hybrid models separately and award individual franchises for each.

http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/DocView.asp?did=1000375752&fid=1725

BYD's cheap green cars to enter developed market

September 02, 2008


At a time when Western international car makers are exploring opportunities in emerging markets, a start-up China auto company, BYD Auto, is adopting a similar strategy to explore overseas markets as domestic demand is softening due to a slow-down in the home economy.

President Wang Chuanfu says BYD’s global strategy is to expand into Europe, the US, Russia, the Middle East and Latin America. BYD Auto is counting on its plug-in hybrid models, known as the Dual Mode (DM) series, to break into the European and US markets. Its F3DM, to be launched by the end of this year, is going to be the world’s cheapest hybrid automobile, starting at RMB 100, 000, around US $15,000.

Its fully electric E6 and plug-in hybrid electric F6DM will hit the market in Israel in 2009, well ahead of the appearance of GM’s Chevy Volt, which will only begin production in 2010. The BYD electric car was selected as the key project for bilateral commercial cooperation by the Israeli government and the Ministry of Commerce of China.

The company’s choice to launch its two new-energy models in Israel appears to be a smart one, supported as it is by that country’s embrace of the electric car revolution and its plans, through Project Better Place and the aid of tax incentives, to build a nation-wide electric service network by 2011.

Taking a further step, BYD has also selected a Dutch dealer as its sole importer for the Netherlands, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Hungary, where sales of BYD automobiles will start around 2010. The company is determined to pass European crash safety and emission standards by 2009.

At the beginning of this year, BYD Auto showcased its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology at the North American International Auto Show. Its F6DM, a 1,800kg vehicle, with a top speed of 160 km per hour, is Euro IV compliant, and emits only 70 gram CO2 per km. Wang Chuanfu said that he hoped to have DM technology on sale in the North American market in three to five years.

Leveraging its own technology and production capacity for rechargeable batteries, BYD is pursuing its green vehicle R&D at a very low cost.

The company announced in its interim report for 2008 that, in the first half year, revenues totaled RMB 3.8 billion, an increase of 71% compared to the same period last year. Car sales volume amounted to 72,357 units, a year-on-year increase of 94%. The company plans to double its sales, setting its target for 2008 at 200,000 units, and 400,000 units for 2009.

This year, BYD plans to invest RMB 5 billion in purchasing property, building factories and upgrading production capacity in China. It is also in the process of setting up two CKD (Completely Knock Down) factories, one in Russia and another Egypt.

The company is vying to push its low-cost vehicles into world markets, as the Japanese did in the 70s and 80s. While the West often condemns China’s high CO2 emissions, BYD’s launch of green vehicles should be catch attention.

http://www.gasgoo.com/auto-news/1007603/BYD-s-cheap-green-cars-to-enter-developed-market.html

Portland Attempts to Woo Chinese Plug-in and Electric Car Maker BYD

September 12th, 2008


Political and business heavyweights are rolling out the green carpet in hopes of convincing a Chinese electric car manufacturer to set up shop in the Portland area.



BYD (Build Your Dreams) is China’s largest battery maker, and moving into the automotive industry. BYD’s first plug-in hybrid planned for the Chinese market will be the F6DM mid-sized sedan in the second half of 2008, and use lithium iron phosphate batteries. Its top speed is expected to be be 100 mph, with a range of 62 miles in all-electric mode and 267 miles total after the gas engine kicks in. A fully electric version called the F6E is planned for 2009. The F6E will be a 5 seater sedan with a top speed of 100 mph, range of 186 miles per charge, and expected battery lifetime of 2,000 cycles, or 373,000 miles.

The company is following this up with the impressive F3DM, which will be smaller, less expensive (selling for around $14,000 in China), and the company claims will have up to a 100 mile range in electric-only mode. The F6DM styling is being compared to a Toyota Camry, while the F3DM (pictured above) is similar to a Corolla.

Currently BYD plans to sell the cars exclusively in China, expanding sales to Europe in 2-3 years. However, Portland is trying to entice the company to bring the cars to the United States.


Representatives from BYD Auto met with Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, Portland Mayor Tom Potter, Mayor-elect Sam Adams, and a host of other local dignitaries who are trying to persuade the Chinese carmaker to make Portland its distribution hub, its North American headquarters, or even its U.S. manufacturing base.

“It’s still more a dream than a goal,” says Rick Snyder, CEO of EcoMotion, an electric-car dealer on Northeast Sandy Boulevard. “At first blush, it seems like we’re a long way from Detroit. But we do have some manufacturing expertise – we should really jump on this opportunity.”

BYD representatives sound cautiously optimistic. While remaining noncommittal, Henry Li, general manager of BYD’s automobile sales division, told Sustainable Life that he was impressed by Portland’s green reputation.

“The top factor is a place that is environmentally friendly, where people have a green mind-set,” Li said. “That’s very important.”

BYD envisions eventually selling the F3DM and F6DM in the North American market. The cars would likely will sell in the US for $25,000 to $30,000.

The company’s immediate need is to find a location to test-drive its cars for the North American market. Beyond that, it soon will want to identify a point of entry where it can import cars made in China.

According to Jin Lan, a China business consultant based in Vancouver, Wash., BYD probably will want to eventually establish a manufacturing plant in North America, just as Japanese companies have done.

Li cautioned that the company’s plans were still in the early stages, but said he expects BYD to settle on a North American test market by the end of the year.


Source: Portland Tribune

http://gas2.org/2008/09/12/portland-attempts-to-woo-chinese-plug-in-and-electric-car-maker-byd/