BYD Auto
Encyclopedia
BYD Automobile Co Ltd is a Chinese
automobile manufacturer based in Shenzhen
, Guangdong Province. The firm was established in 2003 and is a part of BYD Co Ltd
, an innovative rechargeable battery maker.
As of 2010 production capacity is estimated at 700,000 units/year, and that year's sales reached 519,800 making the company the sixth largest Chinese car-maker by units sold. 2010 also saw continued popularity for its F3
model, which became the most-purchased car in China.
created the wholly owned subsidiary BYD Auto a year after its 2002 acquisition of the Qinchuan Automobile Company. While the Chinese State is credited with development of an indigenous auto industry, BYD Auto may have been created in the absence of a State policy explicitly supporting independently owned automobile manufacturers.
In 2008 BYD Auto began selling its first mass-produced, full hybrid vehicle, the BYD F3DM
. China subsidizes
oil (an incentive for the State to encourage use and manufacture of electric cars), and Chinese automakers see opportunities in less mature electric vehicle
s because Western companies have yet to develop much of a lead in the technology. In late December 2008 Warren Buffet spent $230 million buying up a 10% stake in BYD Auto's parent, BYD Company
. In 2009 the company sold 448,400 cars in China, and two-thirds of sales were its BYD F3
model. That same year saw BYD exports its cars to Africa
, South America
and the Middle East
.
A future joint venture with Daimler AG, Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Company will focus on EV
development and upmarket, BYD-branded sedans. As of March 2011 the new company has received a business license from the Chinese State
and BYD, contractual agreement from its German partner.
: BYD cars are sold in Bahrain
by Fakhro Motors, as of 2010 a Russian company, TagAZ
, will assemble BYD models in Russia
, and in the Caribbean, BYDs are distributed in the Dominican Republic by Peravia Motors. In this country, 3,000 cars were brought in specifically to serve as taxis in the capital, Santo Domingo
.
The company has also expressed a desire to enter the Europe
an and Israel
i markets and hopes to sell vehicles in the United States
, too. Its US headquarters is set to be located in LA
and BYD plans to start selling an electric car
, the e6
, there in 2012.
s are also among its products, and all-electric
models will soon be offered, too.
claimed that the BYD F3
was "a known copy" of the Toyota Corolla
(with Honda Fit
design cues). Another model too, the BYD F1, has been described as "a clear copy" this time of the Toyota Aygo
.
Domestic dealerships have been known to take advantage of this and replace the badging of BYD vehicles with those of other car manufacturers including Toyota. Micheal Austin, vice president of BYD America, has acknowledged the issue saying that the practices of some franchised dealers have made BYD "uncomfortable".
, an R&D center and production base in Shenzhen
and an R&D center in Shanghai
.
In 2010 the Chinese State
halted construction of a third Xi'an production base. Building was allowed to resume in Spring, 2011.
A production complex in Changsha, Hunan province
, will soon become operational.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
automobile manufacturer based in Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones...
, Guangdong Province. The firm was established in 2003 and is a part of BYD Co Ltd
BYD Company
BYD Co Ltd is a Chinese manufacturer of automobiles and rechargeable batteries based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.Hailed for its innovations, BYD has grown to become a major manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, most notably mobile phone batteries....
, an innovative rechargeable battery maker.
As of 2010 production capacity is estimated at 700,000 units/year, and that year's sales reached 519,800 making the company the sixth largest Chinese car-maker by units sold. 2010 also saw continued popularity for its F3
BYD F3
The BYD F3 is a compact car produced in China by BYD Auto. The F3 is one of the top selling compact cars in China, looking very similar in front appearance to the 9th generation Toyota Corolla and back appearance to the Honda Fit Aria...
model, which became the most-purchased car in China.
History
BYD Co LtdBYD Company
BYD Co Ltd is a Chinese manufacturer of automobiles and rechargeable batteries based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.Hailed for its innovations, BYD has grown to become a major manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, most notably mobile phone batteries....
created the wholly owned subsidiary BYD Auto a year after its 2002 acquisition of the Qinchuan Automobile Company. While the Chinese State is credited with development of an indigenous auto industry, BYD Auto may have been created in the absence of a State policy explicitly supporting independently owned automobile manufacturers.
In 2008 BYD Auto began selling its first mass-produced, full hybrid vehicle, the BYD F3DM
BYD F3DM
The BYD F3DM is a plug-in hybrid compact sedan manufactured by BYD Auto with an all-electric range of and a hybrid electric powertrain that can extend the range an additional . The F3DM is the world's first mass produced plug-in hybrid automobile and went on sale to government agencies and...
. China subsidizes
Subsidy
A subsidy is an assistance paid to a business or economic sector. Most subsidies are made by the government to producers or distributors in an industry to prevent the decline of that industry or an increase in the prices of its products or simply to encourage it to hire more labor A subsidy (also...
oil (an incentive for the State to encourage use and manufacture of electric cars), and Chinese automakers see opportunities in less mature electric vehicle
Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
s because Western companies have yet to develop much of a lead in the technology. In late December 2008 Warren Buffet spent $230 million buying up a 10% stake in BYD Auto's parent, BYD Company
BYD Company
BYD Co Ltd is a Chinese manufacturer of automobiles and rechargeable batteries based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.Hailed for its innovations, BYD has grown to become a major manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, most notably mobile phone batteries....
. In 2009 the company sold 448,400 cars in China, and two-thirds of sales were its BYD F3
BYD F3
The BYD F3 is a compact car produced in China by BYD Auto. The F3 is one of the top selling compact cars in China, looking very similar in front appearance to the 9th generation Toyota Corolla and back appearance to the Honda Fit Aria...
model. That same year saw BYD exports its cars to Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
.
A future joint venture with Daimler AG, Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Company will focus on EV
Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
development and upmarket, BYD-branded sedans. As of March 2011 the new company has received a business license from the Chinese State
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
and BYD, contractual agreement from its German partner.
Sales outside China
While the majority of sales are domestic, some models are exported to other developing countriesDeveloping country
A developing country, also known as a less-developed country, is a nation with a low level of material well-being. Since no single definition of the term developing country is recognized internationally, the levels of development may vary widely within so-called developing countries...
: BYD cars are sold in Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
by Fakhro Motors, as of 2010 a Russian company, TagAZ
TagAZ
TagAZ is an automotive assembly plant located in Taganrog, Russia. Affiliated enterprises are the Rostov Truck Factory.- History :Construction of the Taganrog Automotive Plant began in Spring 1997, under license and technology of South Korean Daewoo Motors, and was fully financed by Doninvest...
, will assemble BYD models in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, and in the Caribbean, BYDs are distributed in the Dominican Republic by Peravia Motors. In this country, 3,000 cars were brought in specifically to serve as taxis in the capital, Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo, known officially as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic. Its metropolitan population was 2,084,852 in 2003, and estimated at 3,294,385 in 2010. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea, at the mouth of the Ozama River...
.
The company has also expressed a desire to enter the Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i markets and hopes to sell vehicles in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, too. Its US headquarters is set to be located in LA
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and BYD plans to start selling an electric car
Electric car
An electric car is an automobile which is propelled by electric motor, using electrical energy stored in batteries or another energy storage device. Electric cars were popular in the late-19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion engine technology and mass...
, the e6
BYD e6
BYD e6 is an all-electric crossover car manufactured by BYD Auto with a range of according to the carmaker. Field testing began in China in May 2010 with 40 units operating as taxis in the city of Shenzhen...
, there in 2012.
Models
BYD Auto has an eclectic model line that includes small compacts, people carriers and small sedans. Hybrid electric vehicleHybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
s are also among its products, and all-electric
Electric vehicle
An electric vehicle , also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion...
models will soon be offered, too.
Copying Claims
BYD, like many other private Chinese car manufacturers, has been accused of copying designs of vehicles produced by other companies. One staff member at HondaHonda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
claimed that the BYD F3
BYD F3
The BYD F3 is a compact car produced in China by BYD Auto. The F3 is one of the top selling compact cars in China, looking very similar in front appearance to the 9th generation Toyota Corolla and back appearance to the Honda Fit Aria...
was "a known copy" of the Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million...
(with Honda Fit
Honda Fit
The Honda Jazz is a five-door hatchback subcompact manufactured by the Honda Motor Company of Japan, first introduced in June 2001 and is now in its second generation. The Jazz shares Honda's Global Small Car Platform with the City/Fit Aria, Airwave/Partner, Mobilio, Mobilio Spike, Freed and Freed...
design cues). Another model too, the BYD F1, has been described as "a clear copy" this time of the Toyota Aygo
Toyota Aygo
The Toyota Aygo is a city car sold by Toyota in Europe since 2005. All Aygos are built at the new factory of the Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile Czech joint venture in Kolin, Czech Republic. The Aygo was first displayed at the 2005 Salon de l'Automobile de Genève...
.
Domestic dealerships have been known to take advantage of this and replace the badging of BYD vehicles with those of other car manufacturers including Toyota. Micheal Austin, vice president of BYD America, has acknowledged the issue saying that the practices of some franchised dealers have made BYD "uncomfortable".
Production bases and facilities
Production bases include two production bases in Xi'anXi'an
Xi'an is the capital of the Shaanxi province, and a sub-provincial city in the People's Republic of China. One of the oldest cities in China, with more than 3,100 years of history, the city was known as Chang'an before the Ming Dynasty...
, an R&D center and production base in Shenzhen
Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a major city in the south of Southern China's Guangdong Province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong. The area became China's first—and one of the most successful—Special Economic Zones...
and an R&D center in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
.
In 2010 the Chinese State
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
halted construction of a third Xi'an production base. Building was allowed to resume in Spring, 2011.
A production complex in Changsha, Hunan province
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
, will soon become operational.
In the media
- CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
segment TalkAsiaTalkAsiaTalkAsia is a CNN International interview show hosted by rotating anchors of CNN. It has been until recently interviews various people who, in some way, affect Asian issues...
interviewed chairman Wang ChuanfuWang ChuanfuWang Chuanfu is a Chinese chemist and businessman. Founder of BYD Company, he is the wealthiest man in China as of late 2009.-Biography:Wang was born in China to a family of poor farmers. While in high school he was cared for by his elder brother and sister because both of his parents had died...
on April 22, 2009. - BYD Auto was featured on the cover of Fortune magazine on April 13, 2009.
- BYD Co LtdBYD CompanyBYD Co Ltd is a Chinese manufacturer of automobiles and rechargeable batteries based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.Hailed for its innovations, BYD has grown to become a major manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, most notably mobile phone batteries....
, the parent company of BYD Auto, is mentioned in the 2008 book GlobalityGlobalityGlobality is the end-state of globalization – a hypothetical condition in which the process of globalization is complete or nearly so, barriers have fallen, and "a new global reality" is emerging....
, written by the Boston Consulting GroupBoston Consulting GroupThe Boston Consulting Group is a global management consulting firm with offices in 42 countries. It is recognized as one of the most prestigious management consulting firms in the world. It is one of only three companies to appear in the top 15 of Fortunes "Best Companies to Work For" report for...
.
See also
- BYD Co LtdBYD CompanyBYD Co Ltd is a Chinese manufacturer of automobiles and rechargeable batteries based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.Hailed for its innovations, BYD has grown to become a major manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, most notably mobile phone batteries....
- List of Chinese automakers