- BYD Auto will show several new vehicles at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show this week.
- On display: L3 and I6 sedans, S6 crossover and M6 minivan.
- BYD is financed in part by U.S. investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
BEIJING — BYD Auto, which has seen fast-growing sales driven by the popularity of its F3 compact, is expanding its product portfolio. Financed in part by U.S. investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, the Chinese battery and EV specialist will show a variety of new models this week at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show.
Among the new vehicles it intends to showcase are the L3 and I6 sedans and the S6 crossover. Also on display will be an updated version of the M6 minivan.
The L3 slots in just above the Corolla-size F3, priced from around $17,500 and aimed at such competitors as the Buick Excelle and Hyundai Elantra. It goes on sale this summer in China. Available features include a power sunroof, voice-activated navigation, park distance control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and smart key. The new model will offer a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission.
The midsize I6 is an upgraded edition of the Toyota Camry-size F6, offered with a choice of 140-horsepower 2.0-liter and 160-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines and either a five-speed manual or automatic gearbox. Features include push-button start and keyless entry. Prices will start at about $21,000 when the car goes on sale in late summer in China.
The S6 resembles the previous-generation Lexus RX 350 and, like the I6 sedan, will come with either a 2.0- or a 2.4-liter engine and a choice of transmissions. Features include a power sunroof, back-up camera, keyless entry, DVD multimedia system, GPS navigation, automatic climate control, tilt steering column and 17-inch alloy wheels and tires. A base sticker of around $22,000 has been reported.
The M6 is expected to go on sale later this year to compete against the Honda Odyssey and other China-built MPVs. It will feature the same engine selection and much of the same equipment as the S6 crossover and I6 sedan, including a reverse-sensing system and GPS navigation.
Inside Line says: The company has elected not to reveal several other future models in Beijing, including the G6 and T6. — Hu Lei, Correspondent
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mungmibear says:
11:19 PM, 04/21/2010
They say it like it is a good thing when W. Buffett is investing in the company.
Got us to think that company has good products and a bright future
efinils2 says:
10:28 PM, 04/21/2010
Unbelievable, I see Lexus RX, Toyota Camry, IQ, and Estima (Japan market van)...so not only are they copying Toyota, but once the copied brakes fail, the BYD knock-offs' substandard crash ratings will guarantee 100% fatality rate.
zoomzoomn says:
05:20 AM, 04/21/2010
Geez, is that S6 crossover a Lexus RX knock-off, or what? Just think, this could have been a new Saturn if Penske could have made the deal with one of these car companies. Thank goodness that all fell through!
tszk says:
01:49 AM, 04/21/2010
omg... can't the chinese actually find a guy/gal that actually can design a car properly and not like crap or just a knock of a toyota or a rolls royce...
chopperx says:
10:56 PM, 04/20/2010
just saw the S6 images
They are't even trying to hide the fact they are copying the Lexus RS are they?
cheap and inferior Chinese knockoffs...
chopperx says:
10:54 PM, 04/20/2010
a rip off of a Toyota Camry and a Kia Optima!
empowah says:
08:59 PM, 04/20/2010
BYD really are the masters of reverse-engineering. All their vehicles are, to some extent, modified clones of existing vehicles. Typically the bodies, interiors, and chassis are identical - but they use different engines, often sourced from Mitsubishi.
The I6 is a previous-generation Accord with a Guangzhou Camry-inspired front end. The L3 is a more polished version of the F3, a previous-generation Corolla clone. The S6 shares its body with the previous-generation RX but uses a different front clip. The M6 also uses a Toyota body - this time, the Estima - with a different front end.
keijidosha says:
04:22 PM, 04/20/2010
Where's the E6? Run over by Yulon's Luxgen?
lexuslvr says:
04:09 PM, 04/20/2010
Wow I hate these cars but I have to admit that L3 looks like a better looking Toyota Camry.
jonthecarguy says:
03:42 PM, 04/20/2010
Why is it that almost every new chinesse automobile is clearly a copy-cat version of another car? I spent good money on a RX, and now there some cheap knock-off out running the roads.