China's auto industry may fail to achieve the 10-year goals set by the government. (Photo : Reuters)
BYD aims to contribute for an environment-friendly 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by building factories producing solar panels and assembling electronic vehicles as it is currently doing in China.
The Chinese firm is in support with Rio's goal of a green Games, setting forth an example of environmental sustainability on top of leaving a legacy for Brazil.
Recently, Brazilian cities have raised concerns over air pollution, prompting its residents to call for an urban transport system upgrade, as most of the areas employ diesel buses.
Most have regarded express bus lanes with e-vehicles as the best option for bigger cities, taking into account high costs and long construction periods of railway and subway lines.
Currently, BYD is putting up a factory located in Campinas, Sao Paulo, that will produce solar panels and batteries and make electric vehicles. The plant is scheduled to open in August.
Another factory will be responsible in bus and battery cell production to further facilitate BYD's goal of reducing the costs of taxis and buses available in the region's market.
According to Adalberto Maluf, BYD Brazil's director for marketing and governmental affairs, "Brazil has the second-largest bus market in the world. And we believe in Brazil's potential to consolidate its position as one of the largest markets for clean energy."
"Our negotiations with Rio for a relatively larger fleet, in line with a request from the municipal government, which wants to reduce carbon emissions and make improvements for the Olympic Games," Maluf added.
Apart from the construction of factories, BYD is also part of a consortium winning a public bid for a car-sharing scheme in Rio, a program initially foreseeing a fleet of 300 electric cars.
The firm will also be participating in a bid for service operation after developing a plan, Maluf remarked.
Earlier in April, BYD attended a summit of mayors that centered on the theme of sustainable city development. In the said event, some 50,000 buses were agreed to be replaced in 2020 with units using clean energy.
