BYD-Benz to launch new-brand EV model in 2013

Shanghai, July 1 (Gasgoo.com) BYD-Benz's new electric vehicle project is settled in Shenzhen to produce a new model positioned between the BYD and Benz brands. This new brand is to be launched in 2013, media reported recently.

Du Guozhong, manager of the public relations department of BYD, revealed to the reporter that the project in Shenzhen is a technology R&D centre of the two carmakers. It will combine Daimler's proprietary technology in the field of electric vehicle's structure and safety with BYD's excellent car battery and drive technology to produce a new generation of electric vehicles.

Du added that the new brand electric vehicles are pitched at high-end market. The name for the brand is still undecided and the expected price will be settled after the R&D, testing and production stages.

Besides, BYD's new energy vehicles F3DM and E6 will not conflict with the new brand; on the contrary, the existing new energy vehicles will lay an important foundation for the new brand since they have already gone through the market test and the using environment test.　

Located on the border of Pingshan (of Shenzhen city) and Daya Bay (of Huizhou city), the BYD-Benz electric vehicle project is also the initiator of the demonstration zone for the new energy automotive industry, which is created by Shenzhen and Huizhou cities together.

It is reported that the project covers 2,387 square meters, of which Pingshan and Daya bay cover 1,521 and 0,866 square meters respectively.