City of Windsor First in North America to Launch BYD Environmentally-Friendly Electric Buses

PRESS RELEASE

This week, Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis signed a letter of intent to purchase up to ten (10), BYD 40-foot electric buses for City transit services in 2012 – the first City in North America to launch long-range, all-electric buses. The agreement also opens talks to bring manufacturing of BYD buses to the Ontario region in the near future. Transit Windsor has the unique distinction of running in Canada as well as in Detroit, making this launch one that serves on both Canadian and United States' roads.

"One of our primary goals was to position Windsor among the first cities in North America to pioneer the efficient use of electric buses within its public transit authority and to establish Windsor as a hub for the development, manufacture and commercialization of energy products including electric buses."

Stella Li, President of BYD Motors and Senior Vice President of BYD Ltd stated, "BYD has been delighted to see Windsor's leadership, especially that of Mayor Eddie Francis and his Transit and Enwin Utilities team members. They truly have an understanding of the responsibility of government to drive not only economic recovery of our cities and Nations, but to do so while not harming the environment." The BYD Iron-Phosphate batteries used in these electric buses are the only rechargeable battery systems that contain no heavy metals, toxic electrolytes or use caustic materials in their production. This makes the BYD batteries the most environmentally friendly batteries available in the market. Additionally, BYD and Enwin are working towards having a master plan to repurpose the Windsor bus batteries into fixed Energy Storage Stations when the buses retire (in 12 to 15 years).

Mayor Eddie Francis stated, "One of our primary goals was to position Windsor among the first cities in North America to pioneer the efficient use of electric buses within its public transit authority and to establish Windsor as a hub for the development, manufacture and commercialization of energy products including electric buses."

BYD is in the process of completing FMVSS, CMVSS, and other certification testing in North America this year with further plans for fleet sales and deliveries after the first Windsor bus deliveries. BYD's all-electric vehicles in commercial fleets have traveled over 10 million miles over the last two years (as of Q1-2012), showing that their bus technology is quite mature. BYD has delivered over 300 all-electric buses worldwide and has orders for over 1300 more in 2012, making it the largest electric bus manufacturer in the world. For more information, visit BYD at www.facebook.com/bydcompany and www.byd.com.

About BYD

BYD is ranked #1 at the top of Bloomberg's and BusinessWeek's 2009 Tech 100 List (http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100520006751/en/BYD-Tops-Bloomberg-Businessweek%E2%80%99s-12th-Annual-Tech) and is the leading manufacturer of advanced, environmentally-friendly battery technologies like the BYD's Iron Phosphate battery used in BYD electric vehicles and electric busses. BYD's solar panels and LED Lighting systems have CEC, TUV/CE and UL listings, and the company enjoys rapid growth in consumer electronics space and electrified transportation sector manufacturing under its BYD brand. BYD is the fastest-growing Chinese automotive and green energy technology enterprise. The Company trades on the Hong Kong Exchange (HKE) under the ticker numbers (HK.0285 – BYD Electronics) and (HK.1211 – BYD Company Ltd.), as well as on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the ticker number (002594 - BYD Company Ltd.). For more information, visit www.byd.com, www.facebook.com/bydcompany or email pr@byd.com.

BYD e6 available to U.S. consumers in 2010 2011 2012 2013; Hertz gets it first

The BYD E6 is a football. No, not a political one like the Chevy Volt. Rather, it is the pigskin that the cartoon character Lucy would hold in place, but then snatch away when Charlie Brown's ever-hopeful foot was in mid-swing.

BYD has, yet again, placed an example of its all-electric e6 crossover on display at an American auto show and is, once more, teasing us with promises of bringing it to the U.S. market. This time, for reals. Yeah, we've heard similar claims about 2010, which were then changed to 2011. Then shifted to 2012 and, later, mid-2012.

Now, BYD USA president Michael Austin says that the vehicle will be certified for sale in the U.S. before the end of the year and, after first being made available to fleets such as Hertz (with whom BYD already has a relationship), will be offered for sale to consumers. There is, however, one slight caveat. He also mentioned that would only happen when the charging network is further developed.

Apparently, the company doesn't believe that charging infrastructure in the U.S. has evolved to the point where the E6, with its 186-mile estimated range, is yet practical for buyers. This was, if you'll recall, also last year's stated excuse for the delays. While it it tempting to point out that the 73-mile Nissan Leaf has sold over 11,000 units in the past year and so this is really a poor pretense, we will refrain.

Instead, we will point to the fact the BYD actually has an American headquarters and remind ourselves that we've spoken to at least one dealer who has one on hand for prospective buyers to check out. We can't help but wonder though if, by the time it goes on sale, the BYD vehicle will actually be branded a Denza.



Source: Autoblog Green

Daimler and BYD introduce Denza brand for battery-electric vehicles

Denza logo. Click to enlarge.

BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd. (BDNT), the 50:50 joint venture between Daimler and BYD (earlier post) formally revealed in Shenzhen at the “EV – The Future” event its new Denza brand of electric vehicles developed in China, for the Chinese market.

The Denza brand launch event is the latest milestone in the cooperation between Daimler and BYD. Following the BDNT joint venture contract signing in May 2010 and granting of the China business license in March 2011, development has been progressing on schedule, according to the partners.

BYD and Daimler have been visionaries in the development of sustainable mobility and new technologies. We are at the forefront in China as the first company to form a joint venture for the development of a pure electric vehicle, and we’re continuing our pace forward with this landmark event today.

—Ulrich Walker, Chairman & CEO of Daimler Northeast Asia and Chairman of the Board of Directors of BDNT

We have the ideal partner in Daimler. BYD provides experience in battery technology and e-drive systems, as well as bringing EVs into operation on the streets of China. In connection with Daimler’s design of premium autos, know-how in electric vehicle architecture and safety, and more than 125 years of experience in automotive excellence, DENZA is on the right track to become the leader in the New Energy Vehicle market in China.

—Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD and Member of the Board of Directors of BDNT

Primarily created with a focus on Chinese consumers, the name Denza is derived from the Chinese characters 腾势 (téng shì), which together mean “rising power and momentum”—referring both to the attributes of the car as well as the pace of development Denza aims to be ahead in the New Energy Vehicle industry. Denza is also a distinctive name in the English language with no prior associations.

The logo is designed around the flowing form of a central water-drop, supported by two hands. The blue water-drop represents the environmental friendliness of the all-electric vehicle, with blue also signifying advanced technology and a bright future. The curves on either side of the water-drop represent the hands of the two partners providing mutual support for the joint venture, as well as for the environment.

The first public appearance of the Denza concept car will be at Auto China in Beijing in April, with first production planned in 2013.

Source: Green Car Congress