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Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today joined Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and officials from Chinese manufacturer BYD Auto Company Limited (BYD) to announce that BYD, a leader in electric and hybrid vehicles and other renewable energy products, will locate its North American headquarters in Los Angeles. BYD is the first major Chinese mass-production automobile company to locate a headquarters in the U.S. Its decision to choose California was based largely on the Golden State’s commitment to nation-leading green policies that create long-term demand for renewable energy automobiles and products. The decision is expected to initially create up to 150 jobs in California.
“California’s market-friendly energy and environmental policies are playing a vital role not only in making California more energy secure but also in bringing companies like BYD to our state,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Like California, BYD is a company of firsts. They are leading China and the rest of the world into a cleaner, more sustainable future with their automobiles and renewable energy products while creating jobs and saving consumers money. I welcome BYD with open arms and look forward to growing California’s relationship with China to mutually benefit the environment and economy.”
BYD’s Los Angeles headquarters will be responsible for sales, marketing, and research and development for its automobiles and energy products, which include solar panels, LED lighting systems and home and grid level energy storage units through BYD’s unique iron-phosphate batteries. Like California, BYD has been a leader in green; selling the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicle, the BYD F3DM, in 2008 and introducing the first electric car independent of specialized charging stations in the world, the e6, in 2010 to the city of Shenzhen, China.
Governor Schwarzenegger has developed a strong relationship between California and China, focused on protecting the environment and growing the economy. From collaborating on the Green Chemistry Initiative to monitoring and reducing air pollution and sharing energy-efficiency techniques, California is working closely with China to share environmentally-friendly and economy-building policies. BYD’s decision to locate its North American headquarters and create jobs in California further strengthens this green relationship.
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