Last week, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski clinched a deal to bring Nissan’s pure-electric cars to his state. Then, he went on to Shenzen, China. “At BYD Auto Co., China’s fast-growing automotive star, a plug-in electric hybrid sedan is just weeks from meeting millions of Chinese consumers” writes the Oregonian. “The F3DM, which runs up to 80 miles on a single charge and packs a 7-gallon tank, will probably launch in the United States by 2010.” The Governor wants it to be built in Oregon. On Friday, he met with BYD President Wang Chuanfu. On a 10-day business trip through Asia, Kulongoski had laid out his vision to automakers in Japan and China: Electric charging stations every 60 miles along interstates. Tax incentives for Oregonians to buy electric cars. Tax bonuses for drivers to build car chargers in their garages. And, unspoken, but you can bet on it: generous incentives for those who bring their factories to Oregon. Then, Kulongoski has guanxi, connections, indispensable for a successful Chinese deal…
The Governor has a powerful ally: Patrick Reiten, president of Pacific Power, one of Oregon’s main electricity providers. His company is owned by Warren Buffett’s MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company. It just so happened that this company bought a 10 percent stake in BYD for about $230m.
Another Oregonian ready for the Chinese: Bill Wyatt, executive director of the Port of Portland. His port is a major entry point for Japanese and South Korean cars. Wyatt had intensive talks with BYD, along with all other Chinese carmakers in preparation for the coming onslaught of Chinese cars. “Eventually, one of these Chinese car manufacturers is going to begin large-scale exports to the United States,” the Oregonian quotes Wyatt. “Whoever it is, we’ve gotten to know them at this point.” Glad to hear that someone is ready for the inevitable.
And the times they are a changin’
Too bad Detroit didn’t use all that much vaunted engineering skill to do some of this stuff. And what’s going to be really interesting to watch is the economic center of gravity shift to those places that have abundant sources of electricity. California, you’re excused from the next industrial revolution. You ain’t got the juice.
will probably launch in the United States by 2010
from what i hear about the quality of Chinese cars not being up to international standards, i’d be shocked to see them over here by 2010. I know i’d NEVER buy a Chinese made car, but then i wouldn’t buy a Korean made car either even though i’d buy Japanese.
@N8iveVA,
As twisted as your logic is, I am following it myself. It is just weird to see it on “paper”.
Oregon probably a poor model for the rest of the country. Most of us stooped smoking weed 30-35 years ago.
Never say never. I’m old enough to remember the first Datsuns and Hondas to arrive. At those times, Japanese had an utter disregard for intellectual property, copied everything, wore glasses made from coke bottles and were ignored as no threat. Don’t fall into the same trap again. Arrogance is poison.
Just a note on California,They are to busy spending 10 Billion a year of the tax payer’s money on our friends south of the border who think they would like to live in sunny California.They would be better off just paying those people to stay on there side of the border,it would be cheaper! So I don’t think California will be going in the car business anytime soon.
Oregon is probably a bit more progressive than the rest of the country. It always amazes me how Oregon is able to provide so many services in a state without a sales tax and with property tax limitation. While most other states are cutting back, here is Oregon ready to invest money. I know they don’t get much revenue from timber any more, or from fishing. Tourism is still a main industry, as is high technology.
They also have abundant hydro-electric power with the Bonneville Dam built back in FDRs time and still going strong and producing cheap energy provided by the BPA.
I can’t see many other states that would be willing to invest in charging stations along the interstate; or pay for charging stations in home garages. If they want people to drive up to Mount Hood with their electric cars, they better have charging stations up there, too.
But Obama may be willing to provide economic incentives to create new charging infrastructure fro electric vehicles. When that happens, Oregon will be ready with a clear plan. This, along with their location on the Pacific rim, may give them an advantage.
Time to learn Mandarin Chinese, the language of our future Managers.
Oregon is probably a bit more progressive than the rest of the country.
Diseases are also progressive.
The Governor has a powerful ally: Patrick Reiten, president of Pacific Power, one of Oregon’s main electricity providers. His company is owned by Warren Buffett’s MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company. It just so happened that this company bought a 10 percent stake in BYD for about $230m.
I wonder what people would say if GM was making a play like Buffett.
“Kulongoski had laid out his vision to automakers in Japan and China: Electric charging stations every 60 miles along interstates.”
So, the plan is you stop every hour to charge your car? And how long do you sit around while it’s charging?
Good plan.
“At BYD Auto Co., China’s fast-growing automotive star, a plug-in electric hybrid sedan is just weeks from meeting millions of Chinese consumers”
I know it was in the China Car Times that BYD would launch it’s F3DM late this year but I still have a hard time believing it. How is it possible that an automotive startup like BYD could have a PHEV on the market years ahead of GM and Toyota and at about half the price and a longer all electric range than the Volt at that?
I fully expect Mr. Bertel Schmitt to keep his readers posted about the launch of this car, because if it really hits the market any time soon and the specs check out, this would trigger a shock wave through the industry. This could be the most significant car launch of 2009 world wide.
Reality check: this car is rather mysteriously not featured on BYD’s website.
Ronnie Schreiber wrote:
“Diseases are also progressive.”
True, and some diseases are reactionary, which manifest, for example, as failures in other organs not directly impacted by the disease. Reactionaries have a tendency to destroy the entire body politic.
He’s a Dem – more money well spent by the unions on politics.
This all about what will benefit Oregon – they don’t care if they are dealing with a military dictatorship, just like Walmart.
taxman, have you looked at the labels of your clothes, electronics, etc. lately? I’ll bet you’re dealing with that big, bad military dictatorship too.
As an Oregonian, I think our gov. has the right idea, but finding the money to do it will be the challenge. Our budget just blew a giant hole, like most state budgets.
Dutchchris, BYD had their plug-in hybrid at Detroit last year, and drove journalists in it. It’s for real, and I second Bertel’s comments above. They’re quick studies.
I recall the plan by mayor of Portland to blow up bridge into the city to force people to use light rail. When I was there on business, light rail was OK, but it was far from frequent and crowded. But if aiming for socialism, that’s the way to go.
autonut
most of my logic is twisted, so i’m told. Japanese cars have been here quite awile. When Korean cars have been here for at least 30 years, i may consider one, so i figure with Chinese cars i’ll consider that in 2040. i’ll be 75. :)
Here is a compromise between intercity rail and automobiles:
Rather than building cars with built-in generators, why not just install pantographs on Interstate freeways to extend electric car ranges.
AG: the big problem with your idea is the lack of a ground to complete the (any) electrical circuit. The rails on the train are grounded.
There are, of course, many others too, too may to list here, but that one is a good start.
@Herr Niedermeyer:
2 wires? Trolley bus type?