BYD Sees Strong 2013 Sales For Light EVs & Buses
China electric vehicle (EV) maker BYD is looking to increase its share in the global EV market. Autoblog Green notes BYD is targeting a total of 8,000 light EV plug-ins sold for 2013, over four times the amount sold in 2012 when 1,700 units were purchased.
Meanwhile, bus sales are also expected to see an up tick with a predicted 2,000 buses sold for this year, a projected three-fold increase from 700 which were sold in 2012.
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Last year, BYD had some solid deals done between some customers. One notable deal was a contract with the Colombian capital city of Bogota to provide 46 EV taxis in December, 2012. The most notable bus contract in 2012 saw BYD sign an agreement with the Uruguayn government to provide 500+ e-buses on the road by 2015.
Earlier this year, the Chinese manufacturer reached a deal to help electrify the Shenzen police department’s fleet with 500 e6 vehicles.
While high gas costs, and strong subsidies, will help, BYD’s has some lofty goals. So where could the 8,000 light EV sales come from?
For starters, just by its sales in its home country and in Uruguay, emerging markets could help give a firm market for their product when the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, and Ford Energi cars have a solid base in North America and Europe. With lots of congestion and the rise of mega cities, Latin American countries including Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay may provide further opportunities for sales.
India, and its increasing appetite to increase their living standards, is another untapped market in which BYD could look for further business.
Can BYD reach it’s targets? Only time will tell. However, if they get more contracts like Shenzen, Bogota, and Uruguay, then anything is possible.
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