Chinese industrial giant BYD will build its first factory in Brazil in the city of Campinas, near Sao Paulo.
The factory is slated to open in 2015 and will launch the manufacturing and assembly of the world's only long-range pure electric transit bus in South America as well the first fire-safe and recyclable iron-phosphate battery packs, creating some 450 new jobs in the process.
In addition to the two manufacturing facilities, which cover a combined 52,000 square meters, BYD also plans to open a research and development center for its photovoltaic, smart-grid and LED lighting businesses in the second phase of the site's development.
"BYD chose Campinas because of this city's spirit of innovation and their goal of building a cleaner society," said Wang Chuanfu, BYD's founder and chairman. "Along with the buses and batteries, our dream is to build solar panels and energy storage systems here to help the region achieve their zero emissions goals."
BYD Brazil General Manager Tyler Li added, "In the first year of operation, starting in 2015, the plant will have a maximum production capacity of 1,000 electric buses as well as all of their batteries. This is the first stage of manufacturing expansion."
Campinas Mayor Jonas Donizette said BYD fitted well in the city's quest to attract investments, pointing out that it "produces goods and technologies related to the use of renewable energies, and also operates in key segments for the future of cities with sustainable urban mobility plans."
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