BYD to sell China-made plug-in hybrid car in U.S. by 2010

Oct. 31, 2008 (China Knowledge) - BYD Co. Ltd (BYD)<1211>, China's largest rechargeable batteries maker as well as automobile producer, is planning to sell China-made plug-in hybrid vehicles in the U.S. and European markets by 2010.

In order to reach the goal of making its plug-in hybrid car available in the U.S. market, the Chinese company is in talks with some third-party consulting and engineering companies to obtain a thorough understanding of the safety standards in the U.S., according to a company executive.

It has signed about 10 distributors in Europe for the plug-in hybrid car before its entry into that market in 2010.

BYD is on track to reach 200,000-unit sales target for 2008 and is mulling to double the figure by 2009, sources reported.

In September, the automaker sold 23,500 vehicles in total, including 10,059 units of F0 model. The F0 compact car ranked among the top ten brands by sales after it was launched early last month. Sales of F3 and F6 reached 12,788 and 653 units, respectively.

BYD will soon start selling its first electric hybrid car in China, as per industry sources.