Looks like an old Toyota Corolla, but the BYD F3DM is a fully functional, made-in-China plug-in hybrid. The Japanese, Koreans and Americans don’t have anything like it yet!
The Chinese seem to be steaming ahead with development on hybrids, beating American, Japanese and Korean carmakers to the punch. For example, while Chevrolet is still at least two years away from launching the Volt, Chinese carmaker, BYD Auto, has already launched China’s first plug-in hybrid – the F3DM sedan. The vehicle, which was recently launched in China, will be showcased at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2009.
While the Chevy Volt is expected to cost around US$40,000 when it goes on sale in 2011, the F3DM will be priced at the equivalent of around US$21,900 in China...
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