Motor City metal

• Source: Global Times
• [16:17 January 14 2011]
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BYD 2012 e6 Premier

Skimpy sales in 2010 didn't see BYD ax its promotional budget this year as the Shenzhen-based automaker made its fourth appearance at the ongoing show.

The auto and battery producer fell short of its 2010 sales target of 800,000 units, while its annual growth of 15.5 percent also lagged behind the overall Chinese car market, which grew 30 percent last year.

Returning to the 2011 Detroit  Show this year, BYD is showing off two new energy vehicles on the show.

Starting with e6 electric cars, the automaker backed by Warren Buffet hopes to enter US auto market in the first quarter of 2012.

The 2012 e6 Premier model boasts of a range of more than 300 kilometers in urban conditions and a top speed over 140 kilometers per hour from lithium batteries alone. Battery charging time can be as quick as 40 minutes.

Another new offering BYD brought to the show is the S6DM – the world's first independent, four-wheel drive, duel mode electric SUV. The car can travel over 60 kilometers purely on electric power and 500 kilometers combined range when engaging its 2.0L gasoline engine.