Uber to start using BYD cars in Europe and Latin America and develop ‘self-driving cars’ | Wilnesh News

Beijing – Uber and BYD Drivers on the ride-hailing platform can gain access to pricing and financing deals for the Chinese company’s electric vehicles, starting in Europe and Latin America, it was announced Wednesday.

According to the press release, the two companies will also develop “self-driving vehicles” for the Uber platform.

Although the European Union followed the United States this year in raising import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, the companies said the multi-year strategic partnership would bring 100,000 BYD vehicles to Uber.

“As the largest global agreement of its kind, we are excited about the benefits this partnership will bring to drivers, riders and cities,” Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in a press release.

Shenzhen-based BYD has become the dominant player in China’s electric vehicle market. Company goes beyond Tesla Total automobile production has grown for two consecutive years and it has stepped up overseas expansion, including investment in overseas factories.

BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu said in a joint statement with Uber: “Uber and BYD are committed to innovation to create a cleaner, greener world, and I am excited to work together to realize this future.”

The companies plan to expand the deal to the Middle East, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the release said.

Last year, BYD exported more than 240,000 vehicles to 70 countries. The company aims to more than double its vehicle exports this year.

“This partnership marks a new era in the electrification of urban transportation, and we look forward to seeing our cutting-edge electric vehicles become a common sight on city streets around the world,” said Li Stella, executive vice president of BYD and CEO of BYD Americas. , in said the press release.

The press release did not specify which models, but included promotional images of three vehicles: BYD’s Seal sedan, Seal U SUV and Atto 3 SUV. All three cars are listed on BYD’s European website.