BYD Flyer

The BYD Flyer is a 5-door city car that was originally developed by the government owned Xian Qinchuan Automobile, which sold it from 2001 to 2005. Qinchuan Machinery Works, part of Norinco in Xi'an, built it on the platform of the Suzuki Alto, which it had been making as the Xianalto since 1992. After BYD bought Qinchuan Auto, the car was facelifted in October 2003 and became BYD's first car, sold as the Flyer Fuxing. BYD planned an electric taxi, the Flyer EF3, a Flyer Dragon Car and longer versions such as the Flyer F2 and F4 estate, which were shown at motor shows but never reached production. Sales of the Flyer I began under the BYD marque in 2005, and a facelifted Flyer II followed in March 2005, including exports to Russia and Ukraine. The BYD F0 replaced it in 2008, though new Flyers were sold up to 2010, and its small three- and four-cylinder engines of 0.8 to 1.1 litres are Suzuki derived.