It looks like GM is not the only company that has decided that for mainstream electric cars to be a viable business in the future, it has to build its motors on its own. Volkswagen has also announced similiar intentions – its components group will be the system supplier for electric drive technology for the whole group. The aim is so that it can build up a competitive advantage as well as safeguard expertise. Right now, Volkswagen has joint R&D projects with Sanyo, Toshiba and BYD. Volkswagen’s electric powertrains will be built at the group’s Salzgitter plant in Germany, which currently employs over 6,000 workers. The Salzgitter plant currently manufactures engines. Volkswagen’s components arm also intends to be the supplier for an EV version of the Volkswagen up! from 2013. The first Up! will be launched next year, but will be powered by a regular combustion engine.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
BYD China?
yes byd china
but what if BYD started to chop and make VW or VW group car then claimed their own in future?
what will vw do?
Annihilated said,
February 9, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
but what if BYD started to chop and make VW or VW group car then claimed their own in future?
what will vw do?
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It's probably the other way around with VW starting to chop and reverse engineer BYD's electric driveline technologies. Not all the best technologies come from frackled skin, blonde haired, blue eyed engineers. Look who's putting a big bet on BYD…
why china? aikz
"t’s probably the other way around with VW starting to chop and reverse engineer BYD’s electric driveline technologies. Not all the best technologies come from frackled skin, blonde haired, blue eyed engineers. Look who’s putting a big bet on BYD…"
Reverse engineer BYD's electric driveline technologies ?
Excuse me, the AC servo was invented in 1977 by Indramat, now Bosch. Same goes for the sensorless vector-drive. Can you tell me just ONE chinese invention in that field?
VW surely don't need to 'reverse engineer' chinese technology, they simply need production capacity…
Mohd, I agree with you
I believe advacement in batteries tech has greater importance than advancing electric driveline technologies. The reason is simple – unless there is a major breakthrough in a battery's lifespan, electric cars can only remain a limited range transport mode, regardless of how hi-tech the driveline is…
Mohd said,
February 10, 2010 @ 6:13 am
Reverse engineer BYD’s electric driveline technologies ?
Excuse me, the AC servo was invented in 1977 by Indramat, now Bosch. Same goes for the sensorless vector-drive. Can you tell me just ONE chinese invention in that field?
VW surely don’t need to ‘reverse engineer’ chinese technology, they simply need production capacity…
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Surely you know that BYD build the first mass produced plug-in electric hybrid electric vehicle, beating the bigger players like Toyota, GM, VW etc.
And BYD is also among the leaders in EV battery technologies and that is the main reason why they are now in the business of EVs and HEVs. I am sure you know that as well.
Yes, sure AC servo was first invented by Indramat… in 1977. Same can be said about first hybrid electric vehicle is build by Ferdinand Porsche in 1899. Or USA had a PNGV program long before Toyota and Honda starts their R&D in HEVs. But what's the point if you can't bring it to the market before someone else does. The fact is, BYD put together the first mass produced plug-in hybrid vehicle on the market before Toyota, GM and VW.
In addition, BYD also first five-seat electric vehicle that can run 400km (250 mile) at one charging. I am sure you know that as well. Now do I still need to give you the list or to save the yourself from the embrassment, perhaps it's better if you can look it up yourself?
Neither is it wise to promote a party by 'dissing' another..
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Jimmy Dean said,
February 9, 2010 @ 10:16 pm
…Not all the best technologies come from frackled skin, blonde haired, blue eyed engineers…
Oh, I didn't know BYD build hybrid cars. I thought they just copy-paste the "face" and the "butt" of other cars.
China can send a man to space using their own technologies. Maybe designing efficient electric driveline is easier so I am not suprised with BYD capabilities. Unfortunately, we rarely heard our local industries coming up with their own technologies. We buy and we sell, forever remaining as a trading nation and stuck in middle income economy. Or could be worse with some greedy monkeys running the country now.
Do you know what the power drive system will they use.
Chain drive system or belt or others?
alpha geek said,
February 12, 2010 @ 12:58 am
Or could be worse with some greedy monkeys running the country now.
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Which monkeys? There are too many of them… on both sides. Let's stick to car talk only, okay?