BYD aims to bring electric vehicle to North America by 2011 or 2012

Chinese firm BYD Auto is aiming to bring at least one electric vehicle to North America by 2011 or 2012, and is considering building an assembly plant in the United States, it said Monday at the Detroit Auto Show.

The automaker showed the e6, an electric vehicle, and two other hybrid cars at the show. The e6 has room for five and has a range of 250 miles, BYD says.

BYD launched the F3DM, or dual mode hybrid, late last year in China. The F6DM, a larger hybrid, was shown at Detroit.

BYD board member Tony Mampilly said the company could bring two vehicles to North America, though the company faces challenges meeting federal regulations. It

By Greg Migliore