BYD sells its first electric cars in Thailand

BYD has been testing its all-electric e6 with Shenzhen, China taxi operators for more than two years. The company has also sold about 200 battery-electric buses worldwide.

BYD, whose investors include Warren Buffett, was testing its EVs in Los Angeles as early as 2010 and had previously set U.S. launch dates for 2010, 2011 and 2012. BYD opened its North American headquarters in Los Angeles late last year.

 

 

 

BYD, the China-based vehicle maker that’s repeatedly delayed the debut of its battery-electric vehicles for the U.S. market, has sold three of its EVs to the Thai utility company that supplies power to Bangkok as part of an effort to promote EV vehicle use in the country.

Power company MEA cited BYD’s leadership role in EV production and Thailand’s need to adopt more green transportation as the reason behind the purchases.

 

A year ago, Thailand flooding killed more than 800 people and devastated its automobile production industry, including companies like Toyota and Honda.

Before the floods, Thailand was the world’s 12th-largest automotive producer, with about 1.6 million vehicles built in the country in 2010. Because of the flood, any efforts promote the production of more fuel efficient cars and, in some cases, vehicles with advanced powertrains, were held back.

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