English: Place: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province

Chinese name: 比亚迪元 (bǐyǎdí yuán) Year of launch: 2015

BYD Auto is a subsidiary of BYD Company, a major manufacturer of rechargeable batteries. BYD started producing cars in 2005 when it acquired Qinchuan, a company that produced the Flyer small car. In 2005 it was followed by the hugely popular F3, a copy of the Toyota Corolla E120. It was the best selling car in China in 2009. BYD is infamous for copying cars of Japanese car manufacturers: through the years it has made copies of the Toyota Aygo, Corolla E120, E140, Estima, Honda Accord, Honda Odyssey and Renault Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet, while other cars have striking similarities with the Buick Excelle HRV, Mercedes-Benz SL and Lexus RX. Two years after the arrival of the F3 sedan the hatchback version, named F3R, was launched, which means it is a mechanical copy of the Toyota Corolla as well, albeit now with a rear end inspired by the Buick HRV (Daewoo/Chevrolet Lacetti).

As a battery producer, BYD is one of the largest makers of electric cars and plug-in hybrids in the world. The F3DM was the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid. One year later it launched the e6, an electric vehicle, which is also operating as a taxi in cities of countries including Belgium, Colombia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the USA. BYD is currently naming their cars after the Chinese dynasties, with names including Qin, Tang, Song, Yuan and Shang.

The BYD Yuan was launched in 2015 and is a compact SUV. Wheelbase is identical to the Ford EcoSport and proportions look similar, so I wouldn't be surprised if there is a Ford somewhere underneath... At least it does look fairly original. It comes with petrol engines and a very powerful plug-in hybrid. Notice the badge: the name of the 'dynasty' BYDs are used as a badge, so in this case it says 元 (Yuan).

Sales figures: carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/byd/byd-yuan/