Here on the verge of GMs collapse and despite the collapse of oil and gas prices, the drumbeat of competition continues to march upon the Volt.

As many have heard, Chinese auto company BYD announced its launch of the world's first mass-produced extended-range electric car called the BYD F3DM in China on Monday.  The vehicle uses less expensive lithium-iron phosphate batteries that its parent company manufactures and has a 62 mile all electric range.  Like the Volt, there's an onboard generator (1.0 L) that can charge the battery on the fly, but unlike the Volt the car can also perform in parallel mode.  BYD has priced the car at $22,000 USD, expects to sell 10,000 units in China in 2009, and hopes to sell in America in 2011.  So enthused by the companies profits, billionaire investor Warren Buffet has purchased 9.9% of the company.

Chrysler too up against the ropes of insolvency is still taking aim at GM.

CNN has just published an interview with Lou Rhodes, Chrysler's vice president for advanced vehicle engineering. Taking a stab at GM, Rhodes said Chrysler "isn't a one electric vehicle company" indicating Chrysler plans to build a suite of electric cars.

Instead of building a uniquely designed electric car from the ground up like the Volt, Chrysler plans to build cars that come in either gas or electric models. This they say will save money and allow them to adapt rapidly to wild swings in gas prices. For if gas prices stay low they will build proportionally more gas models, if gas prices go high again, more electric ones.  They have already demonstrated three concepts, an electric sports car called the Dodge EV, and an extended-range Jeep 4x4 and minivan.

Finally, Mercedes who plans to make their whole fleet electric by 2015 has come out with more facts about their BlueZero concept . Three cars are planned, a pure electric, a range extended electric, and a fuel cell.  Confirming production intention, Dr. Thomas Weber of Mercedes Benz said, "small-scale production of Mercedes-Benz cars with battery-electric drive alone will then commence in 2010."