Liu Xueliang, GM of BYD's auto sales in Asia-Pacific, delivers a speech at the launch of the K9 in Naha. （Photo provided to China Daily）
Aiko Shimajiri, assistant to Japan's minister for Okinawa affairs, said the e-buses, which run quietly and are environmentally friendly, will help Okinawa attract more tourists.
Taking advantage of Japan's engineering excellence, BYD acquired a mold factory from Japan's Ogihara Corp in 2010. The factory, which is located in Tatebayashi, Gunma prefecture, has more than 100 Japanese technicians. It is now one of the sources of BYD's quality auto molds.
"Before BYD, no Chinese company acquired Japanese manufacturing companies. BYD's factory in Japan helps improve the looks of our vehicles," said Liu Xueliang, general manager of BYD's Asia-Pacific auto sales division.
Before its e-vehicles made inroads into Japan, BYD first trained Japanese drivers in how to operate the buses, particularly in aspects like battery recharge and smooth ride.
"During our first trip to Japan, we had talks with Japanese drivers. We also visited after-sales facilities to have a good idea of their management of spare parts. After the preparations and investigations, we returned to Shenzhen to produce the five K9 e-buses for Kyoto," Liu said.
"The delivery of the K9 buses in Okinawa means a great recognition for BYD as well as for China's technology and quality."
BYD's major business lines span rechargeable batteries, new energy automobiles, and new energy industries－all sunrise industries.
BYD now leads the global e-vehicle manufacturing segment. In 2008, BYD introduced hybrid car F3DM, the first model that does not rely on professional charging stations but can be charged using normal electricity. It later launched e-car E6 and e-bus K9.
With its K9 and E6, BYD has been knocking on the doors of the public transportation sector overseas.
Its first e-bus was deployed in 2010. In both 2011 and 2012, BYD received e-bus orders from other countries. It rolled out its e-buses in Chicago in September 2011 and several cities in South America in 2012.
In Europe, London was the first city to accept fully electric buses made by BYD. Such e-buses are now found in Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Serbia and Denmark.
Liu Xueliang said BYD's global footprint now covers more than 200 cities across 50 countries and regions, helping cut both noise and air pollution.
