Comments on: BYD F6DM Plug-in Electric Hybrid

By: I. Ronnickly

I. Ronnickly — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:50:04 +0000

of course I’m an idiot and “mis-comprehended” shall we say? the role of Mr. Kulongoski in Oregon? but that’s no reflection on the informative article!

By: I. Ronnickly

I. Ronnickly — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:10:21 +0000

hey it’s for sale today in China for $22,000.

GM better hope BYD stumbles over US safety requirements.

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSSEO16159320081215

An Oregonian already has the rights to import Nissan electrics and wants to import the BYD

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2008/11/kulongoski_lobbies_to_bring_ch.html

By: vivifiant

vivifiant — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:31:35 +0000

Interesting how arrogantly some writers on this board belittle the Chinese PHEVs. Sounds like the articles about Japanese cars in the 70s… The problem is that the learning curve seems to be radically faster in China than in Detroit. While Detroit is still comfortable to peddle pickups to Mid Western drivers who need 8 cylinders and 300hp to move their 300 pound bodies, their bottle of Jack Daniels and their rack of shot guns in their trucks, the rest of the world is moving on. If Detroit is not waking up rapidly and makes quickly many many reliable PHEV models like the Volt at competitive prices it will be too late. A sticker “Made with pride in America” wont cut it….. If you think my assessment is wrong, let’s discuss this in 5 years …

Vivifiant, Ohio

By: Jeff M

Jeff M — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:35:04 +0000

I just ran into another article that gives more info on pricing ….

The price in the Chinese market is estimated to be $20,000 and $30,000 …. which is high end for the Chinese market when the average annual income in China is a small fraction of that price.

The article is at http://tinyurl.com/yq7rsa

By: Don

Don — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:39:14 +0000

More details about it here: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2008/01/byd-auto-introd.html#more

It seems to be an serial EREV and a parallel hybrid to some degree … “… actually offers three modes of operation: full battery-powered EV mode driving its 75 kW, 400 Nm motor; series-hybrid mode, in which a 50 kW, 1.0-liter engine drives a generator as a range-extender; and parallel hybrid mode, in which the engine and motor both provide propulsive power.
The FD6M starts out in EV mode. At medium speed it will shift to range-extending series hybrid mode, and at high speed it will shift to full parallel mode. In addition to the 100 km of EV range, the HEV modes add another 330 km of range, for a total vehicle range of 430 km (267 miles).”

The design doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

By: drivin98

drivin98 — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:28:44 +0000

Like Rashiid Amul, I don’t like that it is a parallel hybrid. I suppose it’s great for aftermarket companies. Lots of parts to wear out and replace.
I’d prefer pure electric but I’d settle for a serial hybrid a la Volt.

By: Jeff M

Jeff M — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:37:44 +0000

Sam, wrong forum for discussing, and it’s already been discussed under other threads. No need to give perpertual motion machines any more attention.

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:13:37 +0000

what about all the buzz about ’splitting’ water to HHO gas as an alternative to electric hybrids?

does the technology (see http://www.preignitioncc.com/nw/index.htm ) work?
If so, why no one is really promoting it?…

By: bruce g

bruce g — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:57:39 +0000

I think the Chinese will introduce a cost effective EV to the US in the next couple of years and it will have an effect out of proportion to the numbers sold.
I dont know what Toyota or GM will do about it.

By: Jeff M

Jeff M — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 07:19:49 +0000

News of this vehicle is old news… and other reports from the Detroit show indicated it’s likely this vehicle may never make it to the US market… so this is quite a scoop if they have reversed themselves on that.

Several things though… 1st is that from other press I had been led to believe they really didn’t have or plan to have the capacity to produce that many more vehicles than they could sell domestically (in China) since demand there is so high. Even if they exported to the US, how many units/year? GM is planning at least 60,000 Volts/year.

2nd, the price you hear is comparing apples to oranges. In addition the Chinese currency is being artifically kept low against the US$ and not floating on the free market. I believe our government wants to see it float though the Chinese don’t (want to keep flooding our market with cheap imports). If things change that could have a big effect on price.

3rd, also speaking on price, I wouldn’t be surprised if to meet US safety standards it added to the price as well.

Then again, they say we (the US) said years ago that the Japanese would never make inroads into the US.