ALBAWABA - China's BYD intensified rivalry with companies like Toyota and Volkswagen, who still offer mostly gasoline-powered vehicles, on Tuesday by introducing the most recent iteration of their plug-in hybrid car technology, as reported by Reuters, which increases fuel efficiency and cost savings in its vehicles.
At a press conference in Xian, the capital of Shaanxi province, BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu said that the technology can guarantee a driving range of 2,100 kilometers with a completely charged battery and a full fuel tank, noting that the fifth generation of hybrid technology uses 2.9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers, a record low.
In the five generations of hybrid vehicles that have been produced by BYD since their introduction in 2008, this milestone represents the company's most recent breakthrough in reducing fuel consumption.
The sedan variants of BYD's Qin L and Seal 06 vehicles were also introduced by the car manufacturer. Both of these models were fitted with the new technology and prices beginning at 99,800 yuan ($13,775).
With extensive price reductions, Shenzhen-based BYD has completely changed the Chinese vehicle industry, although at some cost to profitability, according to Bloomberg. As of March, it has delivered about one million automobiles this year, after selling three million the year prior, with half of hybrid cars sold in China being from BYD.
