BYD Becomes First Chinese Auto Company to Penetrate Japanese Market

News provided by

Feb 23, 2015, 10:16 ET

KYOTO, Japan, Feb. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyotokyukou Bus Incorporated has taken delivery of 5 Long Range Battery Electric Buses from industry pioneer BYD Company Ltd. The delivery ceremony held was widely covered as it not only represented electrified public transportation, but also Japan, a nation built on engineering excellence, for the first time acquiring high tech vehicles from their neighbor, China.

Pictured Above: Officials from Kyoto's Ministry of Transportation & Kyotokyukou Bus Inc. Cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

The BYD electric buses will be operated in the former Japanese capital of Kyoto, a well known battleground for carbon emissions reduction thanks to the globally renowned Kyoto Protocol. One of Japan's largest transit operations, Kyotokyukou Bus Inc. will take possession of the first 5 BYD Electric Buses. During the ceremony, Sakabe Mitsuo, Director of Kyoto's Ministry of Transportation said, "it's a milestone for Kyoto's public transportation to operate the pure electric buses. The BYD pure electric buses will demonstrate entirely environmentally friendly. We will do more to improve environment quality."

Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD's Asia pacific auto group also spoke at the event, "The Japanese market has stringent requirements for technology and quality, the delivery of the BYD buses means a great recognition for BYD as well as for China's technology and quality. We believe that BYD electric bus could provide more comfortable and greener transportation experiences to the citizens in Kyoto."

BYD's pure-electric bus employs many advanced technologies developed in-house by BYD's expansive staff of more than 15,000 engineers, such as the advanced environmentally-friendly, Iron-Phosphate (or "Fe") batteries, in-wheel hub motors and regenerative braking system. The break-through Iron-Phosphate battery is fire-safe and non-toxic: there are no caustic materials contained in the battery, no toxic electrolytes or heavy metals and can be completely recycled. The BYD electric bus delivers a host of operational and environmental benefits for public transport riders, operators and people in the community - it is very quiet and ensures a comfortable ride without vibrations, jerks or noise associated with the conventional buses and combustion engines. The bus can also drive for more than 250 km (155 miles) even in heavy city traffic on a single charge. The bus has completed more than 40 million kilometers of "in revenue service" and has been evaluated in many major cities all over the world.

About BYD
BYD Company Ltd. is one of China's largest companies to have successfully expanded globally. Specializing in battery technologies, their green mission to "solve the whole problem" has made them industry pioneers and leaders in several High-tech sectors including High-efficiency Automobiles, Electrified Public Transportation, Environmentally-Friendly Energy Storage, Affordable Solar Power and Information Technology and Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) services.

As the world's largest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, their mission to create safer and more environmentally friendly battery technologies has led to the development of the BYD Iron Phosphate (or "Fe") Battery. This fire-safe, completely recyclable and incredibly long-cycle technology has become the core of their clean energy platform that has expanded into automobiles, buses, trucks, utility vehicles and energy storage facilities. BYD and all of their shareholders, including the great American Investor Warren Buffett, see these environmentally and economically forward products as the way of the future.

BYD has made a strong entrance to the North, Central and South American markets with their battery electric buses, and lineup of automobiles. Their mission lies not just in sales growth, but also in sociological integration and local job creation as they have poured incredible investments into developing offices, dealerships and manufacturing facilities in the local communities they now call home, truly a first for Chinese companies. For more information, please visit www.byd.com or www.facebook.com/bydcompany.

Contacts in China: Sherry Li
[email protected] tel: +86-755-8988-8888-69666
In US: Micheal Austin, BYD
[email protected] tel: 1(800) BYD-AUTO
In Europe: Penny Peng, BYD
[email protected] tel: +31-102070888