BYD to launch all-electric car e6 in Shenzhen this year

BYD Co. plans to launch its all-electric car, the e6, in Shenzhen this year by supplying e6 taxis in the southern Chinese city, said an executive of the Chinese battery and car maker.

The executive, who declined to be named, said e6 taxis may be rolled out in Shenzhen by the end of the first half and sales will be expanded to other cities later.

BYD, which is partly owned by Warren Buffett's MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., has put a big focus on developing electric cars. Henry Li, general manager of BYD's auto exports trade division, said earlier this week that BYD's plans to start test-marketing the e6 in China this year is "on track." Speaking at an industry conference in Beijing Mr. Li said the company plans to initially focus on "fleet" business with the e6, selling the car to taxi operators and government agencies.

BYD had previously targeted the end of last year to launch the e6 in China.

BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu said last month that the company is on track to launch the e6 in the U.S. during the second half of 2010. A U.S. launch is seen as a test of the global ambitions of China's auto sector to use electric-vehicle technology to close the distance with more established car makers.

BYD has said it plans to sell the e6 model for slightly more than $40,000 -- competitive with some bigger rivals.

Mr. Li said Thursday that BYD expects to start its auto sales in China to nearly double this year on the strength of the domestic market. He reiterated BYD's target of selling 800,000 cars in China this year, which he said would be up from 480,000 units sold in 2009.

Established in 1995, BYD began as a manufacturer of rechargeable lithium-ion and nickel batteries but has branched out into producing cellphone parts and alternative-fuel cars.