New hybrid from China’s BYD tops US models, but Americans still can’t buy it

JACK ALYMER: THERE’S A NEW HYBRID THAT’S THREE TIMES CHEAPER AND CAN TRAVEL TWICE AS FAR.

BUT AMERICANS WILL PROBABLY NEVER GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY ONE.

WHEN COMPARED TO INDUSTRY AVERAGES, THIS LATEST HYBRID MODEL FROM CHINESE AUTOMAKER B-Y-D IS WAY AHEAD.

ABLE TO COVER OVER 13-HUNDRED MILES WITHOUT STOPPING.

AND WITH RECORD SETTING FUEL CONSUMPTION, IT’S SAVING DRIVERS MONEY EVEN BEYOND THE INITIAL PURCHASE PRICE OF JUST 14 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

B-Y-D SAYS ITS NEW HYBRID LINEUP CAN HELP PEOPLE SAVE ALMOST 15-HUNDRED DOLLARS EVERY YEAR ON TRIPS TO THE GAS STATION.

SO, IF YOU BUY AND DRIVE ONE FOR 10 YEARS, THESE CARS WILL ULTIMATELY HAVE A NET COST OF ZERO.

IN THE U.S., THERE’S NOTHING THAT COMES CLOSE TO THE COMBINED EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF THESE NEW VEHICLES.

AND THERE PROBABLY WON’T BE FOR SOME TIME.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DOESN’T WANT THESE HYBRIDS TAKING BUSINESS AWAY FROM AMERICAN COMPANIES.

THEIR RECENT TARIFF INCREASE ON CHINESE EVS TRYING TO COME STATESIDE WAS JUST ONE OF MANY EFFORTS TO KEEP BEIJING-BACKED AUTOMAKERS OUT.

THE WHITE HOUSE REPORTEDLY EVEN PRESSURING THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT TO TAKE AWAY THE TAX CREDITS THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY OFFERED TO CHINESE EV-MAKERS LOOKING TO SET UP SHOP SOUTH OF THE BORDER.

CLOSING WHAT HAD BEEN SEEN AS A BACKDOOR FOR B-Y-D AND OTHERS TO ENTER THE AMERICAN MARKET.

FOR MORE ON THE ONGOING TRADE WAR OVER ELECTRIC VEHICLES BETWEEN CHINA AND THE U.S. – DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND SIGN UP FOR ALERTS FROM ME – JACK AYLMER – TO GET THE LATEST.