The BYD F1 splashed onto the internet with a rather large fan fare - possibly a contender for the worlds cheapest car title, and with good looks to boot. As more information about the F1 leaked out, it seemed that the F1 wouldnt be as cheap as it was supposed to be, but it was still cheap.
The BYD F1 is expected to be priced in the high 20,000rmb range to 40,000rmb range, however, no final price has been set from BYD as far we are aware.
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We had a chance to get up close and reasonably personal with the F1 at the recent Qingdao Auto Show where the F1 was proudly on display at the BYD stand. From looks alone, the F1 is pretty similar to the Toyota Aygo, although BYD say they own design patents for the car.
The dashboard of the Aygo and the BYD F1 are very similar:
Compare the speedo and RPM pods with the Toyota Aygos, the overall design elements are very similar, including the heating vents.
More on the dashboard:
The overall quality of the interior was reasonable, although the top right picture shows a healthy gap between the dashboard sections.
Overall, the quality of this presumebly pre-production model from BYD was actually quite good. The only critisism we have of the F1’s quality would be what felt (and looked) like two different types of plastic had been employed to make different sections of the dash, which made it look like a patchwork quilt dash! The seats were comfortable, and we quite liked the ‘poverty spec’ simplicity of it, its a car in the truest sense - it has 4 wheels, an engine, and not much else! If you want to adjust the window you have to use a piece of equipment known only to a few as a ‘hand winder‘ to open the windows, the same is said for the rear view mirrors, those too, are ‘hand operated’ shocking! Simply shocking, but excellent at the same time, its a back to basic car, after all!
In many respects, the BYD F1 reminds us of the base spec Renault Clios and the Twingos of the mid 90’s that were used as hire cars along the Mediterrainian strip - they were budget cars, rented to tourists, that were expected to take a battering from careless drivers and the elements. We think the BYD would excel itself in a similar situation, hot summers, sticky situations, tough traffic - sounds just like any east coast Chinese city in June.
Despite the F1 taking a lot of style from the Aygo, we think it will still be popular with young Chinese consumers who want to have a cheap, economical car, that is both fashionable and trendy without pilling dollars onto the base price.
Would we have one for driving around the city center? Oh yes, we would.
Great article guys. Im amazed that BYD can even suggest that it isnt a complete rip of the Aygo. In the UK we also get the Peugeot 107 and Citroen C1 but they had to be designed to look slightly different to allow them all to sit in the same marketplace. The BYD doesnt even bother trying!!
I guess this can all be settled in a friendly manner. When was the Aygo released? June 2005. And when did the BYD ‘designers’ come up with their own unique design?
new logo ? silver
I saw one driving near one of their factories today. It looked pretty nice.
It doesn’t have any airbags? Oh dear.
Heh, but it’s got seat belts. Not that many drivers here will want them.
“Cheap” or “inexpensive”?? ;^)
OK Ash, a couple of questions. First, in earlier pics I’ve seen airbags in the F1, but not in these pics - are they going to be an option with more “luxury” (a VERY relative term here) models? Same with the windows - the back windows in these pics don’t even roll down, they just pop out for ventilation. Are the front windows ALSO manual (non electric)? I already knew that the mirrors are manual…..
Finally, engine options. Early on BYD had hinted at the idea of offering different engine sizes (1.0, 1.1, maybe even a 1.3l) but it seems like the only engine available is the 3 cyl., 1.0l. Any more info on that? Now the biggie - WHEN will it go on sale and WHAT will the price(s) be??
The Toyota Aygo, and its Citroën C1 and Peugeot 107 sisters, have pop-out rear windows only, even on the 5-door versions.
Someone that lives across from me has one. I live close to a BYD factory so it may be a test car. I will check it out next time it is parked across the street and let everyone know how it is set up.
OK…….I FINALLY saw this car in person as well at the Shenzhen show! I talked to one of the BYD people there, and they said that the car is scheduled to go on sale sometime THIS MONTH…….but to start with only a 1.3l model will be available with prices in the 40-50,000 rmb price range (direct competition for the QQ6, A1, Ben Ben and Peri). Ash, I gotta correct you on ONE thing……the front windows of the F1 are POWER windows (at least with the 1.3 model I saw), the buttons for them being located at the bottom of the center console (similar to the Peri). One disturbing feature……a BENCH fold down rear seat - no 60/40 split. ALL the other cars it will compete with (the ones I mentioned earlier) offer a 60/40 split reat seat…..a MAJOR error by BYD. However, it IS a very appealing car to see in person, and without a doubt the best looking car compared to it’s competition. NO mention on when the 3 cyl. 1.0l version will be available, I’m GUESSING later on this year. Nice car overall, and I’m definitely looking forward to a test drive!
I saw one yesterday parked at the big park across the street from the government building in Long Gang. I think it may be the same one I keep seeing near my home. I thought it looked pretty good for a car under 30,000 RMB. It isn’t much to look at but I guess you can’t expect much in that price range.
These cars particularly hybrids would sell very well to people 18-35 in the USA….anyone know when BYD truly expects to enter the US MARKET???
Pretty sure the car won’t hold up to a U.S. crash test. There can’t be any plans to sell it in the U.S.
I understand your point that the particular F-1 may not pass crash tests although the Smart car did with flying colors, but my point is that the F-3, and F-6 would be very attractive right now in the US as hybrids if BYD does not wait to long…they could be a leader. Gas is now $4 per gallon in America which is very high and going higher, and there is a turn towards green…if they could move by 2010 they could really accomplish things my friends and I believe.
Hybrid car development is moving to slow as it is. Everyone is trying to copy the same thing the Prius and Honda have had for years. They need to jump ahead to cars with the motors in the wheels. Otherwise everyone has to go backwards in performance which isn’t going to work well for anyone that has money and doesn’t mind paying for gas over $5 a gallon. I heard it is $4.75 a gallon back in the States where I live.