BYD plug-in hybrid went on sale yesterday

According to Gasgoo.com, the BYD plug-in hybrid went on sale in China yesterday.  The car is retailing for about $21,200 and is expected to reach the US in 2010.

Shanghai, December 15 (Gasgoo.com) BYD, the upstart Chinese company best-known for making cell-phone batteries, began selling its F3DM hybrid electric car today in the Chinese market, said sina.com. As the country's first mass-produced electric hybrid vehicle, the car is expected to retail for 149,800 yuan ($21,200) in China and will make its way to the U.S. in 2010.

After five years of innovation and development, BYD has brought its F3DM electric hybrid technology to maturity. The F3DM model is equipped with the world's first dual hybrid power system, for the driver to switch between EV and HEV modes. The F3DM is capable of traveling 100km (62 miles) on electric power provided by the battery to meet daily driving needs. In contrast, the dual-mode electric models of GM and Toyota can travel only 25km without recharging.

(Read more)

Oh, and it also looks like the BYD F3DM will have its global debut at the Detroit auto show next month!  So that's pretty exciting.

Ecogeek had an interesting take on this yesterday, pointing out that BYD could make the car cheaply because it doesn't have to pass US safety tests (yet), and that they don't have to worry about a reputation that needs protecting.  Thus they were able to produce their plug-in hybrid quickly.

 Discussing E-bikes, velomobiles, and possibly many electric cars is extremely positive.  The bail-out or loan mentioned this morning may have a very large impact.  On one hand; retooling for what people want is great, but I certainly hope  that what people want is not just another continuation of what got us into this mess- bigger and bigger vehicles to add to cloverleaf lanes.  

The latest from Green Car Congress:

BYD, which is 10 percent owned by US investor Warren Buffett, originally aimed to sell the hybrid cars abroad in 2010 but Wang would not give any reasons for the delay. The firm officially launched the F3DM on Monday and said it will sell a total of 50 units of the hybrid cars to the Shenzhen municipal government and China Construction Bank.

Huh, that's interesting.  I had no idea Warren Buffett was an investor.  Have you heard anything on the safety of the car?

I have not heard a word about safety.  Interestingly: a radio show was discussing this car with the same 2010 export date you mentioned. I wonder who is right: Green Car Congress or a radio talk show?

I've heard BYD is delaying the international release until 2011 too.

 Thanks for the link to gasgoo.com - one article mentioned hybrids not doing as well as expected, and I had a hard time controlling my laughter when I saw this- hmm- no bailout:

China-made New Chevy Spark goes on sale

By George Gao  From:Gasgoo.comDecember 23, 2008

We need to get these out to the public now!  There are only about 200 PHEV Priuses in the entire country right now!  There is no reason more can't be made!