Comments on: BYD sells 13 F3DM’s in first month on sale

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:58:35 +0000

One hand side everybody is waiting for the subcidary, of course. On the other hand the price looks very high compared with the F3. This looks for me a bit like BYD don’t like to sell the car in bigger volumes. Therefore they offer it also only in one city.
Toyota and other car manufacturers sell the hybrid for a premium of about 4.000 $ not for 14.000$ as BYD does. It could be that other carmakers generate losses with Hybrid. In reality even the Prius is available only in small numbers and Toyota don’t sell as much as the could.
If BYD realy needs 100.000 RMB premium for Hybrid they should stop it for compact cars. The cost for Hybrid are caused largly by the the Gearbox and the development. The biggest cost however is the Battery. The is no indication that the Battery price will come down in the near future. It is impossible to subsidy bigger number of car sales for a long time. The subsidy could be only a kick off. New technology has to generate profits not subsidy.

By: Ed

Ed — Mon, 24 May 2010 22:22:07 +0000

That’s only for your case, plus, the government is installing hardware all across China to make charging easier, including in garages and on the streets.

By: Colin

Colin — Mon, 24 May 2010 16:27:52 +0000

I just thought for a second….this building here, built this year, no power plugs in the garage or along the street, not that they would let me plug in without figuring out how to charge for it, anyway I am up on the 15th floor, run the power cable out the window, down the side of the building, about say 200 feet or so, another 200 feet to the garage entrance and wherever I park….do they make 600 foot power cables like this?

All in all….plug in cars in china….really really stupid idea

By: dragin

dragin — Fri, 21 May 2010 17:12:14 +0000

First question’s answer: Yes, dimensions are comparable.

Second question: No, but journalists who have driven it say the car accelerates well under electric power but that the transition between modes is rough, there’s some strong vibrations in the power steering, and that recharging the batteries produces a roar.
I’m not sure if the latter refers to laughter or otherwise…..

By: Ed

Ed — Fri, 21 May 2010 00:12:21 +0000

Sales should improve as Chinese consumers become more aware of the F3DM, plus help (subsidies) from the government.

By: santos palisander

santos palisander — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:45:47 +0000

Two questions please. Is the F3 their Corolla size car?
Has anyone on the forum had a chance to drive this F3DM
version? Thanks.

By: JKL

JKL — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:11:47 +0000

Also, a lot of news outlets are reporting that although only 13 sold, another 500 were ordered, half of the expected sales for the entire year. The problem is that BYD just can’t produce them fast enough.

By: Problem lies somewhere else

Problem lies somewhere else — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:03:24 +0000

I think, the main problem is not the lack of subsidies (although that is also the problem). The greatest pain is, that there are usually no electric power outlets in garages or whereever, we park our cars. The whole idea is to charge the car during the night!!

By: JKL

JKL — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:01:36 +0000

The thing to remember is that it is only on sale to the public in one city….Shenzhen. Also, don’t forget that the subsidies for it are just around the corner…buyers surely are holding back until they are announced, artificially lowering sales.

This doesn’t surprise me at all.