BYD showed up again at the Detroit auto show this month, repeating its goal to sell an electric vehicle in the United States. This marked the company's third appearance at the event. As in the past, BYD made bold statements about its product and future sales volume, though this year there was news of home-market momentum that may help fuel the company's ambitions.
 
Currently, BYD is the fourth-largest automaker in China and a major supplier for cell-phone batteries. It sold 450,000 cars last year, and it projects 800,000 sales in 2010. The growth is impressive, though the company sounds a bit optimistic in predicting it will be the world's largest automaker by 2025.

Its first product for North America is expected this year with the E6 electric vehicle, with sales beginning in Los Angeles. No specifics on distribution or servicing have been announced.

The E6 is a five-seat multi-purpose vehicle that blends genres and is more typical of family transport commonly seen in overseas markets.  Its length (179.3 in.), width (71.7 in.), and height (64.2 in.) are very similar to that of a Kia Rondo.