Hong Kong-based automotive startup firm Byton has filed a bankruptcy claim to the court of Nanjing, China, after a prolonged struggle against the Covid-19 disruption of economy.
The company has never produced a single car. Its battery-powered crossover SUV named the M-Byte had been destined to become the first production model, but its prospects right now are foggy at best. The car debuted at the IAA Frankfurt show in 2019 in what the company claimed was its final production-ready form (watch the video for a reminder).
Its main selling feature came in the shape of an enormous 48-inch display spanning nearly the entire front panel width. You could control it using voice commands, gestures or additional small displays.
The base specification was envisioned with a 272-PS (268-hp / 200-kW) electric motor mounted at the rear end and a 72-kWh traction battery rated for 360 kilometers (223 miles) of range. The top trim was expected to come to the market with 408 PS (402 hp / 300 kW), 95 kWh, and 435 km (270 miles) of range.
Former BMW exec Daniel Kirchert founded Byton four years ago. In 2020, the company was hit with severe supply disruption issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic, forcing it to reduce staff and shut down the Germany office. With the bankruptcy claim in court now, its fate seems all but sealed.