Mainland carmaker BYD Automobile is hoping its new e6 electric car, which went on sale in Shenzhen yesterday, will help steer a turnaround in the company's fortunes.
Senior manager Paul Lin said BYD would see a profit on the car if sales exceeded 10,000 units a year. 'I don't see why we can't sell 20,000 or even 30,000 cars next year.'
The model has so far received 1,000 orders in Shenzhen.
BYD, the mainland's largest battery and green-car manufacturer, which has backing from billionaire businessman Warren Buffett, has been looking for a top seller to replace the dwindling popularity of the F3. Sales of the car dropped for the 12th consecutive month in August, denting the company's bottom line and the value of its stock.
The e6 model - displayed at the Trade Development Council's sixth yearly Eco Expo yesterday - has been in use as a taxi in Shenzhen since May last year and sells for 369,800 yuan (HK$451,100).
It has a maximum speed of 140km/h and can travel about 300km after a 40-minute charge at a 100-kilowatt charging station.
BYD is hoping Hong Kong taxi operators will consider using the e6. 'We are hoping to replace at least 300 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) taxis in Hong Kong in the next three years,' marketing representative Korby Chen said.