China’s BYD E6 is a 5 seater. Top speed 100 mph. Lithium-ion, iron phosphate battery pack located under the rear passenger seat. Range per charge expected to be 186 miles. Projected battery life is 373,000 miles.
BYD Finalizing Plan to Sell Electric Car in U.S. Next Year
By Norihiko Shirouzu – Wall Street Journal
August 21, 2009
XIAN, China — BYD Co., the Chinese auto maker part-owned by Warren Buffett’s company, is finalizing plans for a new all-electric battery car model to sell in the U.S. next year, ahead of its original schedule, Chairman Wang Chuanfu said.
In an interview at a BYD factory in this western Chinese city, Mr. Wang said his company aims to use money from a planned new share sale in China to help fund the U.S. push. He said BYD, which also makes rechargeable batteries, wants to build up its brand name in the U.S. by entering the market with one of its most advanced models, the five-seat e6, before eventually expanding its product offerings.
He said the company plans to pick a specific region within the U.S. and market “a few hundred” e6s initially through a small number of dealers. The car would be priced at slightly more than $40,000
