Comments on: Buffett’s Chinese electric car company

By: Michael Warren

Michael Warren — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:44:08 +0000

Good article. I have one big question that I cannot find the answer to. Has BYD patented their ferrous ion battery that the company uses in its F3DM or E6? I worked for Toyota for 12 years and know that it sold the Hybrid Synergy Drive technology to Ford. I would be interested in the possibility of BYD licensing the technology to other automotive companies. Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

By: B. Crawford

B. Crawford — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:15:41 +0000

Is BYD getting pumped just because Mr. Buffet invested in it? It is very noteworthy and has execellent investment possibilities, but they are not the only player out there. Tata motors European Division is going into production this summer with their Indica EV model in Norway, which is the worlds first country to have a network of charging stations and infastructure to accomodate electric vehicles. This four seater offers 240 kmh between charges and was the darling of the Geneva auto show. As usual we are 10 years behind the Europeans

By: Trade Jim News » Chinese electric carmaker eyes U.S.

Trade Jim News » Chinese electric carmaker eyes U.S. — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:29:09 +0000

[...] Warren Buffett to invest in the electric car company, according to Fortune contributing editor Mark Gunther. (Read Gunther’s recent Fortune cover story on BYD [...]

By: Darren Toth

Darren Toth — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:31:52 +0000

For as much as I love my country and want to see the United States thrive, I cannot help but see this as a progression that must happen. US automakers are stubbornly doing things the old fashioned way, and then wondering why they are being eaten alive in the marketplace.
I understand that the market research and all says that Americans want big cars, that we have this love affair with our cars and want them to stay that way, but I imagine that there were plenty of folks 100 years ago fighting against the surge of the automobile and it’s damaging economic effect on the horse and buggy industry. Lots of Smithies and Equestrian handlers probably went broke as cars took over our roads.
It is my opinion that every new revolutionary technology is going to break off a part or a whole of existing industries. I know that American auto jobs are being lost, but it isn’t because people don’t need to drive anymore; it is because the old school leadership of these companies, as well as the cultural ideology of many Americans, can’t get away from the notion that bigger is better.
There is this conservative idea that America reached perfection around 1950, and that we need to hang on to the ideals of that time when we “had it right”.
I don’t want any one or any industry to suffer, but the world’s needs are changing, and doing things the way we’ve always done them simply won’t work anymore.