BYD Co., the Chinese automaker backed by billionaire Warren Buffett, sold about 417 electric cars last year, a total that contradicts previous reports that had placed the figure at approximately 1,000, China Business News reported Thursday.

The majority of BYD's electric cars were purchased by individual consumers - few by government institutions. Yet according to prior reports, 800 electric vehicles were purchased through government procurement, and 150 units were bought by other companies for industry research purposes.

The F3DM, a plug-in hybrid compact sedan, is BYD's only electric car that is available to individual consumers. It was launched in March 2010 and costs 169,800 yuan.

BYD sold around 530,000 vehicles in 2010, not close to either the sales target of 800,000 set at the beginning of 2010, or the adjusted target of 600,000 set last August.

China's business press carried the story above on Thursday. China.org.cn has not checked the stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.