BYD Electric Cars in Europe in Early 2011

Expansion in Europe has become the primary objective for most Chinese carmakers out there and their debut on the old continent is only a matter of time. The same applies to BYD, the company which among others, wants to become the world's number one carmaker by 2025.

According to a report by China Car Times, BYD will bring its e6 electric car in Europe in early 2011, along with some other hybrid vehicles, but the whole plan is yet to be established. Furthermore, BYD intends to start European production of several models but the first units to be sold locally will be sourced from Chinese factories.

Meanwhile, BYD is also working on plans to step into the United States which could happen sooner than the European debut. Talking to the press representatives at the 2010 North American International Auto Show, BYD business manager Fred Ni said the e6 is going to be very affordable but hasn't provided a price range for the model. However, he did mention that a lease option is still a possibility but a final decision is yet to be made.

At this time, BYD is trying to form an US dealership network that would be able to sell its cars across the country.

Otherwise, the company is looking into ways to build a plant in Malaysia that would be able to support its global expansion and thus manufacture more models destined for exports. The Chinese company will start a partnership with local Berjaya Corporation Bhd (BCorp) for the development of the plant, which will build BYD Auto’s FO right hand drive 1.0-liter engine model destined for Malaysia and other Asian markets.