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BYD F3DM Plug-in Hybrid Goes On Sale in China
15 December 2008
BYD Auto’s plug-in hybrid version of its F3 (F3DM for dual mode) went on sale in China today for about 150,000 yuan (about US$21,900). BYD plans to bring the F3DM to the US in 2010, and will show the car at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show in January.
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| The F3DM. Click to enlarge. |
The F3DM, unveiled this year at the Geneva Motor Show in March (earlier post) uses a version of the dual-mode powertrain shown by BYD on the F6 at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show (earlier post).
The dual-mode powertrains actually supports three modes of operation:
- Full battery-powered EV mode;
- Series-hybrid mode, in which an engine drives a generator as a range-extender; and
- Parallel hybrid mode, in which the engine and motor both provide propulsive power.
BYD Auto, which is a subsidiary of China-based BYD Group, the leading provider of NiCd batteries (65% global market share) and lithium-ion cell phone batteries (30% global market share), uses lithium-ion iron phosphate cells from its parent company in its energy storage system.
BYD says the F3DM has a range of 100 km (62 miles) on battery power alone with a top speed of 160 kph (99 mph). The 330V, 40 Ah Li-ion pack has life of more than 2,000 cycles, according to BYD Auto. On a household 220V power supply, a full recharge takes 8 to 9 hours.
The DM powertrain incorporates BYD’s own 50 kW 3-cylinder, 1.0-liter BYD371QA aluminum engine, and has a combined maximum output of 125 kW.
BYD Auto says it plans to begin production of all-electric vehicles in 2009.
December 15, 2008 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (35) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
Posted by: NIRMALKUMAR WALA | December 16, 2008 at 01:57 AM
AT LAST A HOPE FROM OPEC AND OIL. HATS OF TO CHINA TO BRING THIS CAR TO MARKET . IT IS HIGH TIME GOVERNMENTS FORCE AUTO COMPANIES TO ACTUALLY START PRODUCING ELECTRIC CARS.
Posted by: NIRMALKUMAR WALA | December 16, 2008 at 01:57 AM
AT LAST A HOPE FROM OPEC AND OIL. HATS OF TO CHINA TO BRING THIS CAR TO MARKET . IT IS HIGH TIME GOVERNMENTS FORCE AUTO COMPANIES TO ACTUALLY START PRODUCING ELECTRIC CARS.
Posted by: NIRMALKUMAR WALA | December 16, 2008 at 01:57 AM
How do you say "I'll buy it!" in Chinese?
我要买!
Posted by: Eric | December 16, 2008 at 05:30 AM
Can one buy/ship a few F3DM's to the US, put them on some private test tracks, and see what their worth?
Or is that again the law?
Posted by: kelly | December 16, 2008 at 11:09 AM
yeah the car will fail the crash test for sure..so that's against the law
Posted by: zard | December 16, 2008 at 02:29 PM
zard - you are incorrect concerning the legality (though you may be correct concerning the crash test results).
kelly - you can import vehicles for "off road use only" and I believe the limitations are a maximum of one year of registration. Private test track is considered off road use. You will need approval on forms EPA 3520-1 and DOT HS-7
Posted by: | December 16, 2008 at 03:02 PM
zard - thanks for the info.
All I've read says BYD is a solid firm and the F3 is the best selling model in China, but I'm from Missouri -the Show Me state.
I have a China motorcycle that does the job. After all the Tata Nano and general years of EV delays - the F3DM is highly significant. I remember Joe Six-pack laughing at the first Hondas to get here in the early 70's.
Posted by: kelly | December 16, 2008 at 03:44 PM
zard - thanks for the info..
With all the years of EV delays - the F3DM is key.
I have a Chinese motorcycle that does the job. I remember Joe Sixpack laughing at the first Honda cars here. Honda hasn't ask for our tax dollars, have they..
Posted by: kelly | December 16, 2008 at 03:56 PM
I leased a new Ford every year from 1980 to 1990 and every single car had problems that required trips back to the Ford shop. I am still waiting for American car makers to build better cars. I bought a new 2002 Honda Accord V6. I then bought a new 2005 Toyota Prius. Both cars were absolutely flawless. I will now only buy what consumer reports rates as number one in quality and reliability and the big three currently are not number one. Thank god the big three are not making airplanes!
Posted by: Habodabi | December 17, 2008 at 04:59 PM
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AT LAST A HOPE FROM OPEC AND OIL. HATS OF TO CHINA TO BRING THIS CAR TO MARKET . IT IS HIGH TIME GOVERNMENTS FORCE AUTO COMPANIES TO ACTUALLY START PRODUCING ELECTRIC CARS.