Can VW turn BYD hybrid cars from dream to reality?
Coming much sooner to a dealer near you?A couple of years ago a number of Chinese automakers started showing up at major auto shows. At the LA show, for instance, such Chinese vehicles usually found themselves in the basement - out of sight out of mind.
Nonetheless, I've been following some of these Chinese automakers, particularly BYD and its lithium battery business, ever since. Yet, it has been hard to take this automaker too seriously. Well, at least it was hard. Warren Buffett's recent stake in BYD certainly opened my mind.
Of course, BYD still doesn't have a history of quality car making, so BYD's big future still seems far into the future - which makes the news of a potential partnership between VW and BYD quite compelling. If BYD has hammered out the kinks of its hybrid vehicles, especially its lithium batteries, then VW could certainly help bring BYD's technology to market significantly faster than BYD could achieve on its own.
At this time VW and BYD are simply exploring options and possibilities, but the potential of this partnership seems like it could be a game changer.
Labels: byd f6 plug-in hybrid, Hybrid Vehicles, VW
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:21 AM
6 Comments:
LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) in da house!
Might just be part of the solution to the "lithium batteries are expensive as hell" problem. The other part will be the ecomonies of scale (still TBD in EV market). VW might be able to provide that. W00t!
No Plug No Sale!
"No plug no sale" is very optimistic. I'd love it to happen, but I'm not sure we'll ever get there. At this point, I'd be very happy if we hybridized everything as a significant first step. Plus, many of those hybrids could quite easily be converted into plug-in hybrids as the battery technology develops.
Nonetheless, I really hope this collaboration can develop into a fruitful partnership. Of course, it might also be just another nail in Chrysler and GM's coffins.
One truly amazing aspect of this great depression is that it has gotten the intense attention of the corporate mind, from the change of heart on Universal Health Care as a 'possibility', to solar/wind as 'thats possible', to willingness to invest billions together with Govt and other manufacturers to be the 'best hybrid' dealers in the world. That profound revolutionary change of mind and heart would never have taken place at this pace, had it not been for the great depression we will be living thru for good while. The planet itself might even forgive us if we continue at this rate of healing/ rethinking or global morals, ethics and 'green' values. For me, these events are incredibly powerful positive signs of a species that is growing from a rebellious brats, to more functional planetary friends.:)
last anon-
i like that optimism. unfortunately, i think most are still brats just being forced to change. give them a choice, and they'll go back to being brats.
still, i hope i'm wrong and you're more right.
I really like the products of innovative China, including in the automotive field. However, the quality of Chinese products are still not been very serious, and still less from other countries such as Japan and the United States. If treated seriously, I believe China's automotive products will be more competitive. Thank you.
if warren buffett believes that chinese automakers can compete in the future, then its probably a pretty sure thing. certainly, it will take a bit of time, but the chinese are coming.
Post a Comment
<< Home