BYD F3 I gallery (2005–2021)
The first-generation BYD F3 compact vehicle served as a historical pioneer for the brand across global automotive markets and initiated mass production.
The first-generation BYD F3 compact car was manufactured from 2005 to 2021 as the Chinese brand's first independently designed vehicle. Built on a front-wheel-drive platform, its exterior design heavily drew inspiration from the ninth-generation Toyota Corolla. The model lineup included a four-door sedan and a five-door hatchback variant designated as the F3R. Early production units utilized licensed Mitsubishi four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engines in 1.5-liter and 1.6-liter displacements, paired with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. BYD subsequently replaced these with its proprietary 1.5-liter BYD473 series engines. In 2008, BYD launched the F3DM plug-in hybrid version equipped with a 1.0-liter petrol engine alongside an electric motor, securing its status as the world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid passenger car. The cabin offered a conventional interior layout featuring optional leather upholstery and digital instrument clusters in higher trim levels. The F3 was widely distributed across China, Latin America, and CIS countries, with local assembly taking place at the TagAZ facility in Russia.
