China: BYD F6 dual mode hybrid to enter series production in 2008
Thursday, November 08, 2007, AutomotiveWorld.com
Chinese electronics-turned-vehicle manufacturer, BYD will commence production of its first dual mode car, the F6 DM, in the second half of 2008, automotive industry portal Gasgoo.com, reports, citing the OEM's president, Wang Chuanfu.
The OEM has also announced that from 2009, all of its models will be available with dual mode engines. The F6 DM can function both as an electric vehicle (EV) and also as a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), BYD says.
According to Chuanfu, the cost of the hybrid powertrain for the F6 DM is close to Yuan 50,000 (US$6,700). However, BYD expects a 40% reduction, to around Yuan 30,000, once output capacity reaches 200,000upa.
BYD unveiled the production version of the conventional F6 mid-sized sedan at the Shanghai motor show in April 2007.
A production version of the company's F3 dual mode vehicle is expected to cost between Yuan 100,000 and Yuan 130,000 to produce, BYD claims. In China, the Toyota Prius, one of the few hybrid modles available, costs around Yuan 280,000 Gasgoo.com notes.
Published on Thursday, November 08, 2007
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