“Los Angeles is where the world creates and innovates,” said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “By reaching out to the world and harnessing LA’s unique resources, we have attracted China’s leading green company to our city. BYD’s (Build Your Dreams) new North American headquarters in downtown Los Angeles is the latest sign that we are a growing hub of clean-technology jobs. We see BYD’s Los Angeles opening as a catalyst that will usher in good jobs, global investment, and a more sustainable future.” China’s premier global, high-tech green company focused on developing electric vehicle technologies and efficient alternative energy sources, launched its North American operations today with the opening of new headquarters in Los Angeles. Technology-based and innovation-oriented, BYD is a multi-national manufacturer of electric and hybrid or dual-mode vehicles, solar power systems, environmentally friendly rechargeable batteries and battery energy storage, and energy efficient LED lighting.
The company is 50 percent U.S.-owned and has the backing of investor Warren Buffett via his MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, the utility division of Berkshire Hathaway. In 2010, BYD topped the Businessweek Technology 100 list and was ranked by the publication as the 8th most innovative company in the world. Based in Shenzhen, China, BYD employs more than 200,000 worldwide. BYD’s new North American headquarters, located along the Figueroa Corridor, will bring up to 150 green-collar engineering and management jobs focused on research and development to Los Angeles, as well as serving as the focal point for privately owned BYD dealerships across the continent.
I Love You City of Angeles
This green technology investment will generate hundreds of additional jobs in the region. Dealerships will sell BYD’s landmark dual-mode electric and e6 pure electric vehicles to consumers and commercial fleets, all-electric long-range eBUS commercial buses, rapid charging stations, LED and solar street and parking light systems, residential solar systems, and replacement parts. BYD aims to grow Electric Bus, e6 electric cross-over and solar panel businesses from Los Angeles; Company unveils electric bus created in partnership with Hertz for use at LA International Airport.“BYD is thrilled to be making this investment in Los Angeles, a global city working towards a green, sustainable future,” said BYD Chairman Chuanfu Wang. “We look forward to a long, productive relationship with the City, and thank Mayor Villaraigosa and his team for their hard work and dedication to recruiting green businesses to Los Angeles.”
Alexandra Cousteau ‘This Generation’s Space Race’
