- The BYD S6DM, a plug-in hybrid from the Chinese car and battery maker backed by Warren Buffett, will go on sale in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2012.
- The S6DM resembles the 2011 Lexus RX 350.
- BYD says the S6DM can travel over 38 miles on electric power alone.
DETROIT — The BYD S6DM, a plug-in hybrid crossover from the Chinese car and battery maker backed by investment rock star Warren Buffett, will go on sale in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2012.
BYD told Inside Line on Tuesday that it could not provide pricing estimates at this point. It did not have fuel economy estimates available either.
The S6DM resembles the 2011 Lexus RX 350, especially in side profile. The base 2011 Lexus RX 350, with a 3.5-liter V6, starts at $38,850, including an $875 destination charge.
BYD describes the S6DM as a "dual-mode electric SUV" that bundles an electric motor, a four-cylinder gasoline engine and a lithium iron phosphate battery pack. It said it can travel more than 38 miles on electric power and more than 310 miles when powered by the 138-horsepower 2.0-liter gas engine. The engine is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.
Look for the BYD S6DM to compete with the Ford C-Max Energi and the MPV version of the Chevrolet Volt
Inside Line says: This could be one of the first Chinese crossovers in your driveway. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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daniel123 says:
05:01 PM, 01/13/2011
they can get around the 25% tax if they bring in the car as a complete knock down kit. Or bring in the car partially assembled and complete it in the US, like the transit connect and dodge sprinter van.
500rwhp says:
05:00 AM, 01/13/2011
It will never come.
If classified as a light truck, it will be subject to the 25% tariff on imported light trucks. That alone will preclude its success, the same as the Indian pickup that was supposed to come, and a key reason that Ford doesn't bring its small truck from Australia.
And seriously, as bad as Chinese cars are, do you want one that adds the complexity of a hybrid?
jiggahoya says:
11:20 PM, 01/12/2011
Wow, who would by that piece of crap, first of all, Chinese cars are proven to be a death trap from crash test results. The Chinese are known for counterfeit items, probaly made a car from counterfeit parts. Just saying, I cannot imagine having chinese cars on the road. By the way, I'm chinese. I'm talking shit about my own country. LOL but its all true...
dgmail says:
09:03 PM, 01/12/2011
They should sign up Wal-Mart to sell these. Looks like Hyundai and Kia customers are targeted. What a better place than Wal-Mart to find them.
to626n says:
08:54 PM, 01/12/2011
It actually resembles the previous generation RX more than the current one. I've seen interior pictures, it's basically a direct copy except for the steering wheel that says BYD. Wonder if Toyota will take any action. Not sure if it was BYD but a few years ago some Chinese company was banned from selling one of their cars in Europe because BMW sued them for copying the X5.
tmanz says:
08:53 PM, 01/12/2011
"New competition is always good for the consumer"
To an extent. When the playing field isn't level it can have odd effects. Dirt cheap labor, heavy government involvement in business, shady currency value. I agree that Hyundai has kicked the auto industry in the butt and it is a very good thing. Just the same way the Japanese kicked the US companies before. The problem with competing with China is, aside from the issues mentioned above, check out the monthly pay at: http://www.worldsalaries.org/china.shtml and tell me if anyone here wants to work for that much or less to try to compete.
Remember when everything we bought wasn't disposable? How many products can you name that you currently own that were made in China that you would ever consider paying someone to repair or even get an estimate on what it would cost to repair?
People often complain that nothing is made to last anymore but we brought that on ourselves by demanding the absolute lowest price for everything. We buy the $8 fan at Walmart and then complain when it is loud and/or breaks after a month or so but most wouldn't have considered buying a $40 fan that would last for years and years so everyone builds only $8 fans in China.
At least on the plus side we can now buy our stealth fighters from China too.
oneliterbeater says:
08:49 PM, 01/12/2011
DA TINESE IN AMERICAhh???!!!!!! confusious say dont cross sea before knowing how to float.
albook says:
08:28 PM, 01/12/2011
This company will probably pair up with some other major automaker for a solid dealer base to start off (Chrysler-fiat 500 esque).
I think this is good. New competition is always good for the consumer. Hyundai has single handedly made the market better by lighting a fire under everyone's ass.
compressor says:
02:32 PM, 01/12/2011
HA! People will buy it if its priced right.
All the previous comments were probably said about the first Kia's & Hyundai's. They were POS, but they were cheaper than their competition. And it doesn't need to be a cheap city car either. You give the majority of people that don't care about automobiles the choice between a small city car and a new SUV that may be a little unrefined, all for the same price. Most people will choose the unproven SUV.
Secondly, other than the drivetrain, which is probably sourced or bought tech that they can produce cheaply, it is not much more complex than current small cars. Think about it. what is really that much more comlpex. City cars now have full HVAC systems, power seats, electric windows, defrosters, etc. An engine is just an engine. A motor is really pretty simple and reliable. Their successfull integration is being perfected more and more each day.
m89 says:
11:49 AM, 01/12/2011
@wrc2tuning:
Ditto x 1000!
I'll stick with my Mercedes-Benz thanks