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There are a lot of headlines scattered around the internet talking about the "surprise" of Chinese auto-maker, BYD's first mass-produced plug-in car. It is, indeed, a big deal. The car is available now in China for a mere $20,000, and should be available in the U.S. by 2010, just in time to beat the Volt.
The question is...how the frik did they do it? How did they beat GM and Toyota and Honda to the punch on this one?
The first part of the answer is that BYD is the world's largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries...so they've got the expertise. They were able to manufacture a cheap ferrous battery that could propel the car for a full 60 miles without needing to be recharged.
The second part of the answer is that they're allowed to make kinda crappy cars. They can skimp on machining and not worry too much about safety. They've only been around since 2003, and only make cars for the Chinese market, so they don't have a reputation to protect. They just have to make news, and they're doing that quite well. There's a lot of question as to how well this car is going to perform, how long the battery is going to last, and whether the vehicle is at all safe.
BYD, frankly, is doing a fantastic job of exploiting two critical advantages. They have become one of the world's largest companies making cheap parts for our expensive cell phones and laptops, so they can venture into this new, potentially gigantic, market quickly. And second, they get to experiment without completely destroying their reputation, unlike any established car company.
They kicked the established industry's ass getting this car on the market, but it remains to be seen whether they've done a number on anyone
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written by J Cortez, December 15, 2008
At the moment, electric cars ARE expensive because the technology behind them is expensive. The current chemical combustion engine model is the cheapest and easiest way for cars to run.
With regards to why GM, Ford and Chrystler couldn't do it: They can't do it because they are failing companies and they are no longer capitalist in any real sense. They should go bankrupt and liquidated. (My greatest hope is that Toyota and Honda-- companies that actually know what they're doing-- buy them out.)
It makes sense that a Chinese company did it because they now have the factories, now have the capital and have the will make use of them. They are a more capitalist system than other countries they are now competing with. And because of that, you have enterprising individuals that will take risks, develop new and expensive technology for profit.
Remember, this is just the start. There's a market for the product and that means others will try to copy so they too can profit. It will start off expensive and then get cheap. The first cars, computers, etc we extremely expensive for the average person but over time became affordable enough for almost anyone to buy.
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written by John Pelletier, December 15, 2008
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written by Adam, December 15, 2008
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written by James2, December 16, 2008
If Chinese succeed the world should cheer for them, it's sad that sometimes people hate others success. Think about it if not US invented TV, telephone, internet...Now, it's Chinese turn.
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written by Greg, December 16, 2008
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written by E6, December 17, 2008
It is no coincidence that Bolloré, a French battery manufacturer is trying to break into EV market by developing their own EV (with the help of Pininfarina). EVs are all about batteries, and BYD, with their 8000-strong research center, seems to have developed a battery that is ahead of others.
After 15 years, nobody questions Chinese cars. After 30 years, nobody remembers American cars.
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written by miltowny, December 17, 2008
As for batteries and the environment. I seem to remember that GM was outsourcing the Volt Batt's to asia. Maybe for the same reason??? Or maybe because all of our American battery companies are now just label makers.
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written by David, January 11, 2009
if you dont produce your own batteries on a huge scale, you will not be competitive in pricing a EV to market.
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written by Paul, January 13, 2009
Your assertion re: Chinese companies is SO old school. As the US fails as a imperial power and manufacturer our world position will be overshadowed by more innovative and resource-rich peoples. There are still British citizens clinging to a bygone era when the Commonwealth ruled the world, and probably Spanish with their heads stuck in an era when they ruled the seas. America's great era is coming to a close. Get used to it.
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written by mobitronia, January 28, 2009
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written by mobitronia, January 28, 2009
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written by Emlyn, March 23, 2009
That said, the GM dinosaur's days are numbered if their best bet is the Volt. Why is there so much pomp and circumstance about a car that only just barely manages to not already seem outdated? Too big to fail, too big to innovate.
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And did the Chinese spend ONE BILLION DOLLARS, like GM did with the Volt, to develop this car?!!? I think not. Neither did Tesla Motors. Common, this is not really rocket science. It can be done, has been done, and doesn't need to cost a mint to develop or sell.