BYD Auto

BYD Auto is a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China. The firm was founded in 2003 and it is a part of the . The BYD company, established in 1995, is one of the world leading manufactures of lithium-ion batteries. Based on this background, BYD Auto has ambitious plans for hybrid and electric automobiles.

BYD Auto's current English tagline or is Build Your Dreams.

History

The firm was created when BYD bought the bankrupted government auto maker Qinchuan and acquired one of the tightly controlled permissions to produce automobiles in China. This method of permit acquiring is called "buy a shell", and has since been banned.

Models

With the acquisition of Qingchuan, BYD Auto also acquired one model, called . As of 2007, the Flyer sells less than 100 units per month.

The company's is more successful, selling over 10.000 units per month in first half of 2007. In addition to F3, the company has unveiled the new models , , and .

BYD Auto is involved in the development of electric vehicles. It currently makes the F3e, which is the electric version of the F3 model, which has a claimed cruise range of 350 kilometers on a single charge. Electric versions of all its models, as well as plug-in versions are planned. The company also produces electric vehicle charge stations and car batteries specifically designed for electric vehicle applications.

On October 11, 2007, BYD announced that they would be introducing a production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle sedan in China in the second half of 2008. BYD plans to exhibit the PHEV, which has a 60 mile all-electric range in January 2008 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Based on BYD's midsize F6 sedan, it uses iron-phosphate based lithium-ion, and can be recharged to 70 percent of capacity in 10 minutes.

Production models

BYD Flyer
BYD F0
BYD F2
BYD F3
BYD F3-R
BYD F6
BYD F8

Prototype/Concept models

BYD F3e
BYD F3DM
BYD F6DM / BYD F6e
BYD e6

Delivery

BYD Auto is planning on using its experience in mobile phone battery development to construct dual-mode, gasoline-electric hybrid plug-in vehicles to be sold in Europe by 2010.