BYD F3
Encyclopedia
The BYD F3 is a compact car (4 doors sedan, 5 passengers) produced in China
by BYD Auto
. The F3 is one of the top selling compact car
s in China, looking very similar in front appearance to the 9th generation Toyota Corolla
and back appearance to the Honda Fit Aria. As of January 2010, the BYD F3 retails for approximately 60,000 RMB (US $9,300) and the "out the door" price in China is approximately 20% more, for a total on-road cost of RMB 70,000 (taxes, licensing, insurance) ($10,850). Through all of 2009, the BYD F3 held the honors as top selling compact vehicle on the China mainland.
(4G15S) with distributor-less Bosch
ignition and fuel injection
. The vehicle boasts Euro 4 emissions standards. Engine output is 75KW (100 hp). Fuel efficiency is rated at approx 7L/100KM (40mpg). The transmission MaTriX is a 5 speed manual transmission - similar to that used in the Mitsubishi Colt
, Galant
Mirage
vehicles. Three point safety belts, power steering, alloy wheels fitted with 195/60 R15 tires, 4 wheel ABS disk brake system as standard, LED tail lights, and halogen headlights.
(dual mode, rechargeable electric / gas rechargeable vehicle) and BYD F3R (hatchback version). In 2009, BYD introduced the G3 as an updated/upgraded compact class vehicle - however, the F3 will continue to be sold in domestic markets.
In March 2011, BYD reduced prices on 5 of their vehicles to address slowing domestic PRC auto sales as government incentives and stimulus wind down. The price reductions range from 5 to 15% of vehicle cost. The price-reduced models include the F0, F3, G3, F6. Several new models are due out in 2011 including a Mini-van and a HUV/CUV vehicle.
In March 2011, a review of the BYD F3DM (dual mode electric and gas vehicle) was published in the NY Times news paper. The author gave the BYD F3DM a solid, if rather utilitarian review. The price point is reported to be approximately $20,000 USD after government incentives, approximately 50% cheaper than the competing Chevrolet Volt. Currently BYD is planning a dealer network in North America with the first retail outlet slated for Los Angeles, California. 5 other dealerships are expected initially.
BYD shares trade in Hong Kong as 1211.HK or on the Nasdaq pink sheets as BYDDF
In March 2011 BYD and Daimler announced the approval of a joint venture business license by PRC MOFCOM. As a result, one can expect joint hybred electric vehicle R&D to be developed in the future.
platform.
The mechanical air conditioning selector system is controlled by cable, and the cables can spring loose causing the mode selection to become inoperable. This can be repaired/replaced relatively easily.
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
by BYD Auto
BYD Auto
BYD Automobile Co Ltd is a Chinese automobile manufacturer based in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province...
. The F3 is one of the top selling compact car
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
s in China, looking very similar in front appearance to the 9th generation Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million...
and back appearance to the Honda Fit Aria. As of January 2010, the BYD F3 retails for approximately 60,000 RMB (US $9,300) and the "out the door" price in China is approximately 20% more, for a total on-road cost of RMB 70,000 (taxes, licensing, insurance) ($10,850). Through all of 2009, the BYD F3 held the honors as top selling compact vehicle on the China mainland.
Specification
The BYD F3 features a 4 cylinder, 1.5 liter, Mitsubishi Orion engineMitsubishi Orion engine
The Mitsubishi Orion or 4G1 engine is series of straight-4 internal combustion engines introduced by Mitsubishi Motors in the 1970s, along with the Astron, Sirius, and Saturn. It was introduced in the Colt and Colt-derived models in 1978...
(4G15S) with distributor-less Bosch
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
ignition and fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
. The vehicle boasts Euro 4 emissions standards. Engine output is 75KW (100 hp). Fuel efficiency is rated at approx 7L/100KM (40mpg). The transmission MaTriX is a 5 speed manual transmission - similar to that used in the Mitsubishi Colt
Mitsubishi Colt
The Mitsubishi Colt is a vehicle built by Mitsubishi Motors since 1962. It was first introduced as a series of kei cars and subcompact cars in the 1960s, and then as the export version of the Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback in the 1980s and 1990s...
, Galant
Mitsubishi Galant
The first generation of the car, initially known as the Colt Galant, was released in December 1969. The design was dubbed "Dynawedge" by Mitsubishi, referring to the influence of aerodynamics on the silhouette. Three models were available, powered by the new 'Saturn' engine in 1.3 or 1.5 L ...
Mirage
Mitsubishi Mirage
Mitsubishi launched the Mirage as a three-door front wheel drive hatchback in 1978, as a response to the first fuel crisis some years before. It had a distinctive design with large windows and Mitsubishi's Super Shift transmission . A five-door joined the range in 1979...
vehicles. Three point safety belts, power steering, alloy wheels fitted with 195/60 R15 tires, 4 wheel ABS disk brake system as standard, LED tail lights, and halogen headlights.
Equipment
The BYD F3 owner can choose from 3 trim packages (GL-i, GL-X, and GL- Xi). All models come with standard equipment: AC, AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo, electric windows and mirrors. Optional equipment includes upgraded leather seats, 3rd brake-light, driver and passenger air bags, auxiliary front fog lights and upgraded audio / IVI (in vehicle infotainment). Color schemes are white, black, champagne, red, with black being most common.Derivatives
Derivatives of the BYD F3 include the BYD F3DMBYD F3DM
The BYD F3DM is a plug-in hybrid compact sedan manufactured by BYD Auto with an all-electric range of and a hybrid electric powertrain that can extend the range an additional . The F3DM is the world's first mass produced plug-in hybrid automobile and went on sale to government agencies and...
(dual mode, rechargeable electric / gas rechargeable vehicle) and BYD F3R (hatchback version). In 2009, BYD introduced the G3 as an updated/upgraded compact class vehicle - however, the F3 will continue to be sold in domestic markets.
In March 2011, BYD reduced prices on 5 of their vehicles to address slowing domestic PRC auto sales as government incentives and stimulus wind down. The price reductions range from 5 to 15% of vehicle cost. The price-reduced models include the F0, F3, G3, F6. Several new models are due out in 2011 including a Mini-van and a HUV/CUV vehicle.
In March 2011, a review of the BYD F3DM (dual mode electric and gas vehicle) was published in the NY Times news paper. The author gave the BYD F3DM a solid, if rather utilitarian review. The price point is reported to be approximately $20,000 USD after government incentives, approximately 50% cheaper than the competing Chevrolet Volt. Currently BYD is planning a dealer network in North America with the first retail outlet slated for Los Angeles, California. 5 other dealerships are expected initially.
BYD shares trade in Hong Kong as 1211.HK or on the Nasdaq pink sheets as BYDDF
In March 2011 BYD and Daimler announced the approval of a joint venture business license by PRC MOFCOM. As a result, one can expect joint hybred electric vehicle R&D to be developed in the future.
Maintenance
Many of the BYD F3 body parts are interchangeable with the Toyota Corolla E120Toyota Corolla E120
The Corolla E120 is the ninth generation of cars sold by Toyota under the Corolla nameplate.The ninth-generation Corolla first appeared in November 2000 with edgier styling and a longer 2600 mm wheelbase. It is built on a shortened Toyota Vista platform—the Vista being a mid-sized, rather...
platform.
Problems
One common complaint in the BYD F3 is a "shake" on hard acceleration. This has been isolated to a series of defective front wheel drive axles, CV joints, or a combination of both. In some cases, faulty engine rubber mounts can be a cause of excessive acceleration shake. Replacement of these front axle CV joints will cure this problem.The mechanical air conditioning selector system is controlled by cable, and the cables can spring loose causing the mode selection to become inoperable. This can be repaired/replaced relatively easily.