Shenzhen based automobile manufacturer, BYD, has entered the European electric passenger vehicle market. The BYD Tang EV600 will make its European debut in Norway before the year’s end, the group announced in early May.
BYD, the second-largest electric vehicle producer in the world, enjoys a strong presence in the e-bus and public transport sector in Europe, but the Tang will test the waters of the passenger car market for the first time.
Of all European nations, Norway is the most electric vehicle friendly, with more than 11 000 units sold in the first quarter of 2019. According to an article by Forbes in June last year, demand outstrips supply, with long waiting times for customers as dealers struggle to satisfy the Scandinavian nation’s appetite for all things green.
Isbrand Ho, managing director of BYD Europe, said Norway’s broad network of charging stations and the Norwegian people’s readiness to adopt electric vehicles are the main reasons for entering the market. The long-term goal is to broaden BYD’s portfolio of passenger electric vehicles in Europe as a whole, he said. The group plans to release a range of electric vehicles including vans, trucks, and light commercial vehicles later this year.
BYD is already a known brand in Norway, which bought more than 50 e-bus units from the group last year, most of which are in use as public transport in and around the nation’s capital, Oslo.
The initial release of the Tang EV600 in Norway will serve as a trial before the group rolls the car out to the rest of the continent.
The Tang, a medium-sized, all-electric SUV will have a range of around 520km – the Tesla X has a range of 523km – and features an 82.8 kWh battery that powers all-wheel-drive electric motors.
As the Chinese economy contracts by more than 6% this quarter and the global automotive industry finds itself in a state of turmoil, BYD received a boost when the Chinese Central Government announced the electric vehicle tax breaks and subsidies due to expire this year would be extended a further two years to 2022.
Pricing on the European Tang EV600 has not been revealed with full price lists expected to be released closer to the launch.
https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/byd-sets-out-european-ev-exp
ansion-strategy-norway-identified-for-introduction-of-520km-byd-tang-suv/
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