BYD Qin

Out of all the Chinese automakers, BYD is closest to being the first brand to crack the North American market. Billionaire investor Warren Buffet has backed the company since 2009, when he purchased 10 per cent of the company. The brand has already shown its intent to sell cars in North America too, with displays at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. For the big show, BYD has unveiled the Qin, a compact-sized hybrid which packs a four-cylinder engine with a lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack. BYD claims a 0-96 km/h time of less than seven seconds. The car will go on to replace the brand's mainstay, the F3.

Also on display will be the F3 Plus sedan, the first car that can be piloted remotely. The premise behind the feature is to help owners park their cars in very tight places. We somehow don't think such a system would fly in lawsuit-happy North America.

Related links:
2012 New York show: Best in show
2012 Geneva Motor show: Best concepts