In the current context of strong competition in the electric car market, the Chinese manufacturer BYD is hitting hard with its promise of a plug-in hybrid car capable of traveling 2,000 kilometers without being recharged or having to refuel.
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The car model in question has just been unveiled on Tuesday May 28 in Beijing. It would allow a Lille-Marseille round trip without taking a technical break. The autonomy of the electric vehicle is the subject of the moment, and the Chinese group has understood this by actively working on this model which is also intended to be affordable (100,000 yuan, the equivalent of 12,700 euros) , where Western manufacturers are doing everything to offer customers electric vehicles at 20,000 euros.
BYD is not the only manufacturer present on these projects, but it has a head start. Close competition remains Chinese. The other local manufacturer, Geely, offers a perfect range of 1,300 km. For comparison, the German Mercedes is working on an electric model capable of covering 1000 km in one go.
To conquer the European market, BYD (build your dreams) is focusing on entry-level models. The group chose Hungary as its gateway to Europe. Production at its factory is due to start there next year. BYD intends to make several billion euros of investment in factories, but also distribution networks and sales forces.
All this in a complicated context for the European automobile market. In March, overall sales fell 11.5% year-on-year. The reduction or elimination of aid for the purchase of electric cars in certain countries largely explains this trend. BYD’s ambition with its autonomous plug-in hybrid car project over 2,000 km is an additional challenge for European manufacturers.
