General Motors’ star isn’t quite as high as it used to be, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Detroit-based company has been the largest in the industry for the last 76 years. In fact, during its time at the top, General Motors was actually once the biggest corporation in the world. But, despite all that clout, China’s BYD is claiming to have beaten the auto giant to the punch on a mass-produced plug-in hybrid.
GM’s Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid is still on track for a late 2010 launch, putting it on pace to be the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid. However, China’s upstart BYD is claiming that it has beaten the Volt to market with its own plug-in hybrid by two years.
At a recent event in southern China, BYD unveiled the F3DM, a production vehicle it claims to be the first plug-in hybrid. According to BYD, the F3DM can travel up to 62 miles on pure electric power before needing to resort back to its gas engine. A full charge takes about 9 hours on a standard outlet, or much faster on BYD’s own charging infrastructure, according to The Detroit News. The mid-size sedan will list from about $22,000.
Despite BYD’s claims, the F3DM’s stats sheet has yet to be verified. However, BYD’s current owner was a battery company before it acquired BYD, so it seems the company would have the technology to pull off the first commercial plug-in hybrid.
BYD has ambitious plans to enter the U.S. market, but still faces the high hurdles of passing stringent U.S. safety and emissions regulations.
12/16, 1:40 PM
posted by:
Mutant@DCX
US Safety standards such as for Mattel toys? Phthalates and lead poison come to mind
oh yeah, “batteries not included”.
12/16, 1:49 PM
posted by:
atoms
oh yeah my car also travels 62, not miles, not kilometers, just the distance of the number 62 with no given units, its better on gas that way
12/16, 1:56 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Looks like a corolla knockoff.
atoms: maybe they mean 62 mph
12/16, 2:14 PM
posted by:
snork
You couldn’t pay me to even ride in this car after seeing those Chinese crash test videos attempting to qualify for sale in Europe…talk about pancaked!
12/16, 2:37 PM
posted by:
DrCruelty
Let’s see, the styling of a Corolla, the quality of a Wal Mart couch, and the crash worthiness of a riding lawn mower. Even if it does have the range it boasts, which is doubtful, I still don’t care.
If the Chinese are really interested in plug-in hybrids, maybe GM could buy up old Geo Metros and stick batteries and motors in them. Probably be a better car.
12/16, 2:48 PM
posted by:
inline6
I love how this is a story about the first to-market plug-in hybrid, and half of the column inches are devoted to the fact that GM isn’t the one building it.
No mention of the fact that Toyota and Honda have been building hybrids for 10 years, are far more profitable, and that this car is a lightly facelifted last-gen Corolla, and neither of THEM have come to market with a plug-in yet, either.
Grow up, LLN. Seriously.
12/16, 3:44 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
inline5.5, GM produced electric cars from about the mid 80’s to about the year 2000. So, yea, GM was there first.
12/16, 5:12 PM
posted by:
andy
i think they meant 62 miles… which is the distance it can travel before the batteries crap out…
12/16, 8:03 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Corolla kicks ass!
DrFill