2011 Detroit Auto Show: You Down With BYD? (Yeah You Know Me)

I don't see how Toyota won't be contesting this vehicle's sale.

I saw a recent article on crash testing Chinese cars and the results were scary. That's the primary reason they are not here yet. Safety and quality are still not up to western standards.

There is no way they can get away with selling it in this country without a re-body.

So how many years till just about all of our cars come from China?

All products seem to go through the progression:

1st: Made in the USA for the good quality ones

2nd: Made in Japan for better quality cheaper ones

3rd: Made in Taiwan for good quality even cheaper ones

4th: Made in China for varying quality super cheap ones.

To improve the safety and quality they will continue to buy other car companies and will also continue to force companies that want to do business there to give them technology in the process. They are very smart moves on the part of China.

I'm only down with O.P.P.

Every company copies the competition these days. (Not just in cars). The Chinese just have to understand how to make few changes to cover their butts better.

As for quality, they are making their cars only as good as they need to for their market. Just like American car companies did for many decades, they don't do anymore then they need to. If they ever decide to be serious about the world market (or make their market truly open) they will change fast.

Anyone who thinks they can't do it themselves is out of touch with todays young Chinese people. They want to have it all and are willing to work far harder to get it then we are. When the last of the "communist" system goes in China it will likely be the worlds next super power.... and it won't need a miltary to do it.

The styling is kind of meh (looks like a lovechild of the Hyundai Elantra and Lexus RX) but the powertrain is definitely innovative. In fact, I read BYD beat the Volt in the first mass-production range-extending electric vehicle. It may or may not be the first in the world, but definitely before the Volt.

http://green.autoblog.com/2009/01/13/detroit-2009-byds-plug-in-hybrids-the-f3dm-and-f6dm/

It's also the world's premier developer and manufacturer of lithium-based batteries. In fact, it's far more a battery than a car company. Chances are they made the batteries in your laptop, camera, etc. It's most certainly not some two-bit operation.

Now if only they'd spend a few yuans more on the design....

OT: Oops! I forgot what the song meant! I am *not* down with O.P.P.!!!

Not down wit B.Y.D Not feelin Chinese Autos see? Unproven Safety and Technology even though Warren Buffet invested Money!

http://www.byd.com/showroom.php?car=f8&index=3

Wow, just wow. Lostboyz, you are completely right. It is ridiculous the amount of copying. I don't think there are international laws on patent infringements though, so nothing can be done until these vehicles are sold here, in the US

Despite the lack of original design and satisfactory quality and safety, anyone who thinks China is more than 5-10 years away from becoming a major player in the US market is just not paying attention. Chinese companies have had no problem entering and dominating any industry and market they've set their sights on. The US auto market will be no different.