BYD - which stands for « Build Your Dreams » - was founded in 1995 to manufacture electronic equipment batteries. By 2003, it was the world's second largest supplier of cell phone and portable computer rechargeable batteries.
At that time, an automobile manufacturing unit was being created with a dedicated electric vehicle project department to start R&D work on a 100% electric vehicle. A plant capable of building 200,000 vehicles was also built.
Yet, in 2007, BYD sold only 94 683 cars, half of what it can produce. On the other hand, it successfully launched the F3DM compact sedan, a Toyota Corolla look alike using a hybrid engine with a unique ferrous battery pack offering up to 250 kilometer of autonomy.
According to the manufacturer, this new type of battery is similar to current lithium ion technology, but is designed for more heavy-duty use. In addition, the batteries can be recharged to 50% of their capacity in only 10 minutes. Finally, they should be very durable and could be good for up to 2,000 charge cycles, or potentially 10 years of use.
In Detroit, BYD showed the E6 electric concept crossover, which is the size of a Dodge Journey. It is equipped with this ferrous battery pack; the same type used for the F3DM and F6DM hybrid sedans, which were also on exhibit.
For sure, BYD will receive lots of visibility in the US because of the investment made by MidAmerican Energy Holdings, the subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
Brilliant show!
As for Brilliance, its Detroit press conference did not mention any clear intention to enter the American market.
"The North American International Auto Show is an excellent platform for us to measure ourselves against international standards," said Brilliance Auto Vice President He Guohua. "We have been to Paris, Geneva, Frankfurt and Moscow, but as one of the five largest auto shows in the world, we must come here."
At that time, an automobile manufacturing unit was being created with a dedicated electric vehicle project department to start R&D work on a 100% electric vehicle. A plant capable of building 200,000 vehicles was also built.
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| BYD E6 |
Yet, in 2007, BYD sold only 94 683 cars, half of what it can produce. On the other hand, it successfully launched the F3DM compact sedan, a Toyota Corolla look alike using a hybrid engine with a unique ferrous battery pack offering up to 250 kilometer of autonomy.
According to the manufacturer, this new type of battery is similar to current lithium ion technology, but is designed for more heavy-duty use. In addition, the batteries can be recharged to 50% of their capacity in only 10 minutes. Finally, they should be very durable and could be good for up to 2,000 charge cycles, or potentially 10 years of use.
In Detroit, BYD showed the E6 electric concept crossover, which is the size of a Dodge Journey. It is equipped with this ferrous battery pack; the same type used for the F3DM and F6DM hybrid sedans, which were also on exhibit.
For sure, BYD will receive lots of visibility in the US because of the investment made by MidAmerican Energy Holdings, the subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
Brilliant show!
As for Brilliance, its Detroit press conference did not mention any clear intention to enter the American market.
"The North American International Auto Show is an excellent platform for us to measure ourselves against international standards," said Brilliance Auto Vice President He Guohua. "We have been to Paris, Geneva, Frankfurt and Moscow, but as one of the five largest auto shows in the world, we must come here."
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| Brilliance M2 - Brilliance M1 - Brilliance FRV |