BYD F3 Mass Production Begins in Russia

BYD F3 is slowly becoming a global product and this perfectly complies with the parent company's enthusiastic plans to become the world's number one carmaker by 2025. The car has entered production in Russia, with all operations to be conducted by Russian automaker Taganrog who signed a $3.6 million deal with the Chinese brand a few months back. The two partners expect to roll out 10,000 units before the year end, with sales predicted to be close to this figure.

The F3 entered the Russian market in 2005 and ever since, it sold a total of 10,800 units, but figures were constantly rising in the last years. The car is powered by a 1.5-liter Mitsubishi Orion engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission and develops a maximum output of 100 horsepower. Fuel efficiency isn't that bad, official figures pointing to 7 l/100km (40 mpg) in combined cycle.

BYD F3 is also one of the best-sellers in China, with the company backed by US billionaire Warren Buffett delivering more units than any other carmaker in the country. In November 2009 for example, when the crisis was seriously affecting carmakers from all over the world, BYD sold 32,000 units of its F3 model, followed by Buick Excelle with 22,220 units and Hyundai Elantra with 21,000 units. VW Jetta (20,500 units), Honda Accord (17,200), Chery QQ (17,000), VW Lavida (15,400), Toyota Camry (15,100), Xia Li N3 (15,100) and VW Sonata (15,000) were completing the top 10 at that time.

Furthermore, adoption of the F3 sedan is continuously growing in other countries, including in North Korea where the cars are destined for state officials.