JERUSALEM, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese automaker BYD Auto has launched a new plug-in hybrid model in Israel, its local importer Shlomo Motors announced Thursday.
The BYD Dolphin G DM-i is a plug-in hybrid supermini hatchback powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired with an electric motor and an 18.3-kWh battery.
It offers an electric-only range of up to 105 km and a combined driving range of up to 1,040 km. The car accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds and has a top speed of 180 km/h.
The new model is BYD's fifth plug-in hybrid in Israel, joining the DM-i versions of the Seal U, Sealion 5, Seal 5 and Atto 2, in addition to the company's six fully electric models.
Between January and October, BYD sold 17,281 vehicles in Israel, ranking fifth in overall vehicle sales across gasoline, hybrid and electric models, and third in electric vehicle sales with 3,634 units, according to the Israel Vehicle Importers Association.
Chinese automakers dominated Israel's overall vehicle market, selling 116,739 cars between January and September, followed by South Korean brands with 39,068 vehicles and Japanese manufacturers with 26,228.
