Portland using sustainable image to woo BYD
Oregonian politicians, including Governor Ted Kulongoski, have met with BYD Auto representatives in a bid to persuade the Chinese automaker to use Portland, Oregon as a home for its North American headquarters, distribution hub, and possibly even a site for vehicle manufacturing. Eventually. For now, BYD wants to sell its hybrid and electric cars in North America and is casting about for a place to set up shop to accomplish that. Portland has the advantage of being on the coast closest to China and also possesses the type of sustainable image that the company finds attractive. The manager of their automotive sales division, Henry Li said, "The top factor is a place that is environmentally friendly, where people have a green mind-set,...That's very important."
According to a Portland Tribune article discussing the meeting, BYD wants to launch their F3DM and F6DM for $25,000 and $30,000 to begin with. These are plug-in serial hybrids like the Chevy Volt but have a 60 mile all-electric range before the motor kicks in to supply the battery with additional energy. The Volt all-electric range is 40 miles. BYD is the world's largest cell phone battery maker and prides itself on its lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) formulation. The company apparently wants to wait until their is more of a high speed battery-charging infrastructure before launching their gas-free versions of these models. They hope to have decided on an American test-market location by the end of this year.
Gallery: Beijing 2008: BYD e6
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[Source: Portland Tribune]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tankd0g 11:36PM (9/12/2008)
The big three were worried about the Chinese getting into the US market with cheap gas engine cars like the Koreans did and here the Chinese are poised to completely blind side them and take the PHEV and EV market before it even takes off.
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jake 12:40AM (9/13/2008)
This is kind of bad for the Volt. Assuming this car makes it to the US (so far Chinese cars are having a hard time making it here), what will people think if China comes out with a PHEV that gets more all electric range for cheaper. Definitely something to keep an eye out for.
Andy 1:26AM (9/13/2008)
Wait until the GM competetive intelligence team get their mucky paws on it.
Expect to see some negative posts on crash test performance, build quality etc.
I hope the Chinese have raised their design standards because this looks like it has some potential.
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KENZO 1:48AM (9/13/2008)
BYD e6 such a sizzling car.
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stevefazek 10:59AM (9/13/2008)
I dont know if its a threat in china Chinese cars are mostly used for population control.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D827IxEJVS4
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Perry 8:27PM (9/14/2008)
I for one will never buy a car from china. That is one country i dont need to send anymore of my money to. I think everyone in America should band together and stop buying chinese products.
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John Rowell 11:25PM (9/15/2008)
I'm looking forward to seeing these in the US. Can't wait.
Perry, I know China has a repressive government, but so is every other government on the face of the earth. And they're here to stay. Now if the Chinese start making the environmentally friendly vehicles we all need, we should buy them. Just my two cents.
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John Rowell 11:57PM (9/15/2008)
I have a good feeling about this company. This could be BIG.
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