Shanghai (ZXZC)- The daily outputs of the D1, the world's first purpose-built EV model co-developed by Didi Chuxing (DiDi) and BYD for ride-hailing service, currently reaches nearly 400 units, according to a local news report, posted by the WeChat account of Changasha Yuhua Economic Development Zone.

At BYD's manufacturing plant in Changsha, the D1s are rolling off the assembly line at the speed of 60 seconds per car, said the news channel.

D1; photo credit: DiDi

The Chinese ride-hailing giant and automaker unveiled the D1 in November 2020. It features short overhangs, a sliding door on the right side to free passengers from opening the door and potentially hitting cyclists and pedestrians. The vehicle also has a larger legroom space in the back than that of conventional cars.

The D1 allows the driver to take an order by merely pushing a button in the car, instead of clicking on his mobile phone. In addition, the customer-built model also enables passenger to adjust air conditioner via their mobile phones before the car's arrival.

Yang Jun, vice president of DiDi, called the D1 a data-driven car.

“The D1 enables the data connection between automakers and the ride-hailing platform, achieving the combination of vehicles and online platform operation,” he said. 

The D1 is equipped with BYD's latest Blade Battery, which renders a maximum NEDC-rated range of 418km. Powering the vehicle is a permanent magnet synchronous motor that churns out up to 100kW.

Changsha's local authority announced on Dec. 25 2020 that the D1 cars had gone into production at BYD's Changsha manufacturing base. The vehicles would be put into operation in Changsha first and then be extended countrywide, targeting annual outputs of 100,000 units.