Chinese Auto-maker BYD to Mass Produce Dual Mode Electric Cars Next Year

SHANGHAI - November 7, 2007:

The president of Chinese automaker BYD, Wang Chuanfu, said in Shenzhen that his company will start volume production of dual mode electric cars called F6DM in the second half of next year.

BYD's dual mode vehicle is, at the same time, an Electric Vehicle (EV) and a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). Starting in 2009, all BYD-produced vehicles will be powered by dual mode engines, Wang said.

Currently the powertrain costs for this dual mode vehicle is about 50,000 yuan ($6,707). After the production capacity is raised to 200,000 units, the powertrain costs can be reduced to 300,000 yuan ($4,024), according to Wang.

The production costs of BYD F3 dual mode vehicle will be 100,000 yuan ($13,415)-130,000 yuan ($17,439), much lower than Toyota hybrid Prius, which is sold at about 280,000 yuan ($37,562) in Chinese market.

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