China’s BYD Introduces Remote-Control Sedan

BYD Co. Ltd. says drivers can park the Chinese carmaker's new $10,400 Su Rui small sedan in an ultra-tight parking spot by exiting the car and "driving" it remotely into position using a special key fob.

The Remote Driving Control enables the driver to start and stop the engine from as far as 30 feet away, then steer the car and move it forward and backward at about 1 mph. The technology also can remotely activate the car's climate control system.

BYD says the optional feature was designed specifically for China, where parking spaces can be too narrow to allow the driver to exit after the car is parked. The technology won a "best leading science and technology" award at this year's Beijing auto show in April.

The five-passenger Su Rui is being offered in the Chinese market with a choice of three 1.5-liter engines, including a 151-hp turbocharged unit with six-speed dual-clutch transmission that can propel the car from zero to 62 mph in 8.9 seconds. BYD says the base engine with six-speed manual transmission can deliver 36 mpg.

The car's electronic features include stability control, tire pressure monitoring, electric park brake, 10-speaker audio system, video surveillance and blind spot monitor for the right front corner of the vehicle.