BYD plans to sell hybrid cars in US by 2011

Shanghai, January 14 (Gasgoo.com) China's BYD Auto Co announced on Day 2 of the Detroit auto show that the company plans to introduce electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the U.S. in 2011 and is considering building a local plant when necessary, the Shanghai Securities Journal reported Wednesday.

"We are confident of exporting our electric and plug-in hybrid cars to the U.S. market in 2011," said Li Zhuhang, general manager of auto export trade division with BYD Auto.

"By 2011 our electric car would be a proven and mature product after three years of existence in China, while the Volt would just be a year old. Besides, The F3DM will be sold at around $20,000 in the U.S. while price of Volt is not expected to be under $40,000,"  said BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu.

BYD Auto is exhibiting the e6 and F3DM and F6 plug-in hybrids adjacent to the General Motors booth. The F3DM is billed as the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid sedan, while the e6 is a mid-sized five-passenger crossover vehicle that can travel 250 miles on a single charge.

The automaker already launched the F3DM in the Chinese market in the past December. The car carries a dealer price of $21,200 in China. The F6 DM is set to go on sale in China in 2009.

The Shenzhen-based BYD became the world's second-largest rechargeable-battery manufacturer in 2003 and founded BYD Auto the same year.

BYD displays its e6, F3DM hybrids at the Detroit auto show