Chinese automaker BYD has launched the Song Pro Super-Híbrido Flex Fuel, the first locally built plug-in hybrid in Brazil capable of using three fuel types [1, 2].
This launch marks a significant shift in the regional automotive landscape by integrating Brazil's established biofuel infrastructure with modern plug-in hybrid technology. By allowing vehicles to run on electricity, gasoline, and ethanol, BYD aims to reduce consumer reliance on a single energy source while lowering emissions.
The vehicle is manufactured at BYD's Camaçari plant in Bahia [1, 2]. The company said the new model during an event in São Paulo on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2024 [1, 2].
Developing the Song Pro Super-Híbrido Flex Fuel required two years of work [1]. The company invested 100 million reais into the project, a figure estimated between $19 million and $19.5 million [1, 2].
The decision to produce the car locally reflects the company's strategy to penetrate the Brazilian market more deeply. The vehicle's ability to utilize ethanol is specifically designed to align with Brazil's strong bio-fuel market [1, 2].
By producing the cars in Bahia, BYD avoids certain import complexities and leverages local manufacturing capabilities. The three-fuel system provides a flexible transition for drivers who may not yet have full access to electric charging infrastructure but wish to move away from pure combustion engines [2].
“Brazil’s first locally-built plug-in hybrid that can run on electricity, gasoline, and ethanol”
BYD's entry into the Brazilian flex-fuel hybrid market demonstrates a localized industrial strategy. By adapting its global plug-in technology to include ethanol, the company is acknowledging that the transition to fully electric vehicles varies by region. This approach allows BYD to scale its presence in South America by bridging the gap between traditional internal combustion engines and a fully electric future.
