Build Your Dreams (BYD) Company Limited has been earmarked under the category “one to watch” here at TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk for several years – and now it appears braced for the big time.
One of China’s fastest growing car manufacturers it will establish US headquarters in the city of Los Angeles over the next three years in a move expected to create 50 jobs initially and then up to 2,000 employees.
The Chinese auto manufacturer, part owned by billionaire Warren Buffet, will invest around $100million in construction after deciding that Southern California was a strategic outpost because of its proximity to major infrastructure including the ports of Los Angeles, several railways and Los Angeles International Airport.
BYD continues to go from strength to strength having sold nearly 450,000 vehicles last year – an increase of 170 per cent compared to the prior year. This time around it hopes to reach the 700,000 mark and will soon officially launch its e6 electric vehicle.
The company also hopes to take advantage of LA’s various incentives and programmes aimed at attracting green companies such as the proposed ‘zero emission vehicle tariff measure’ that would reduce the wharfage rate for battery electric vehicles by 15 per cent.
