China joins the electric charge
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday February 6, 2010
A CHINESE electric car looks set to go on sale in Australia by next year, appearing likely to join Mitsubishi and Nissan in the race for emissions-free motoring.Ateco, the Australian importer of Chinese brands Great Wall Motors and Chery, says it expects to be selling an electric car here next year."I think we'll have an electric car in 2011 €” I can't comment any further," Ateco governing director Neville Crichton said, refusing to reveal details or even suggest by which brand it would be sold."I'll be surprised if the Chinese makers don't come out with an electric car in a very short period of time."Mitsubishi plans to sell a limited number of its i-MiEV electric cars in Australia this year, building up to more meaningful volumes over the next few years. Nissan wants to sell its Leaf electric car in Australia by 2012.Toyota is also working on a plug-in electric version of its Prius, while Holden is planning to sell the Volt plug-in in Australia from 2012.Mr Crichton said Ateco had "been working quite closely with the government with the facilities for electric cars over the last 18 months and we want to be in that business".It's not known which Chinese brand is likely to have the electric car on sale, with most testing or expressing an interest in developing electric vehicles.Mr Crichton confirmed Ateco would begin selling the Chery brand in Australia by the middle of this year, joining the GWM models currently on sale here.However, there could be options beyond Ateco's existing two Chinese brands.Chinese maker BYD €” currently in negotiations with unnamed Australian importers about selling the brand here €” wants to lead the global electric car charge.Backed by US investor Warren Buffett, BYD has aspirations of becoming the world's largest car maker by 2025.BYD unveiled an electric car concept at the North American International Auto Show last month (pictured) and plans to begin selling a production version soon.Mr Crichton has never mentioned BYD but admits he is always negotiating with other brands, including at least one from India.He refused to speculate on pricing for the upcoming Chinese electric car but said it would be competitive."Anyone wants to get in to the marketplace properly, it's got to be priced right," Mr Crichton said.TOBY HAGON
© 2010 Sydney Morning Herald