BYD continues global expansion by entering Central Asia, launching 3 models in Uzbekistan

Published

2 years ago

March 20, 2023

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Build Your Dreams’ (BYD) momentum in global expansion continues to snowball into new markets, including Central Asia where the Chinese automaker is launching three models beginning this month. This includes the Han EV as well as two hybrid plug-ins.

BYD, short for “Build Your Dreams,” is a Chinese manufacturing conglomerate founded in 1995, although its automotive subsidiary didn’t evolve until eight years later. Still, BYD is touting two decades of automotive experience and has recently has the foresight to adapt to a new future propelled entirely by electrification.

In fact, the automaker recently built its final combustion vehicle, leaning further into its current status as one of the world’s largest plug-in EV manufacturers, despite most of its vehicles being sold solely in China. That status has shifted the past year or so however, as BYD has looked to expand outside of Asia to provide global access to its growing lineup of all-electric vehicles.

In the summer of 2022, BYD Auto shared plans expand further through Asia by begin selling its EVs in the Japanese market. That news was quickly followed by a vow to sell EVs in Germany and Sweden as well. Other markets have been announced since then including Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and, most recently, the UK.

Now, BYD is turning its sights back on Asia and looking west, as it has announced entry into Uzbekistan, beginning with three electrified models available to order as early as this month.

BYD expands access to EV portfolio in Central Asia

The automaker announced the official launch during a BYD and Uzbekistan New Energy Vehicle Premiere event held on March 16, which shared the pre-sale pricing for three models seen above. The launch includes two PHEVs – the BYD Chazor, Song Plus DM-i, plus the all-electric BYD Han which we recently got to test drive for ourselves here in the States. Per the release:

The first BYD new energy vehicles arrived in Uzbekistan in March, with a second delivery already in progress and due early in April, bringing customers in Uzbekistan an all-new NEV experience thanks to cutting-edge hybrid DM-i and EV technologies developed by BYD.

Beginning in late March, BYD says it will open “Pioneer Stores” across Uzbekistan’s capital of Tashkent, beginning in the Sergeli district followed by a showroom in Oloy. A second Pioneer Store is slotted to follow in Yunusobod in early April.

BYD shared that preparations to enter the Uzbekistan market in Central Asia began in December of 2022 and have been made possible so quickly through a joint venture with UzAuto to assemble the EVs in the country. The Chinese automaker is describing its latest market entry as a foundation for “exciting collaboration in the future” that already includes cooperation with local dealers to provide BYD customers with localized sales and after-sales service and support.

The BYD models launched Central Asia are available to order this month.

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What makes a Honda a Honda? Prologue engineers help us find out!

Published

7 hours ago

November 16, 2024

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What makes a Honda a Honda? Prologue engineers help us find out!

On today’s informative episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got Honda engineers Jason Hwang and Emilio Sanchez to talk us through some of the things that make the GM Ultium-based Honda Prologue EV feel like a real Honda, and why that matters.

Jason and Emilio talk about some of the choices they made to make the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX feel different from its GM-branded cousins, and explain why this was much more than a case of badge-engineering. Give it a listen, then let us know what you think of the Prologue and ZDX in the comments.

Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Learn more by clicking here.

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Environment

The Eastern US’s first CFI-funded EV charging hub comes online

Published

11 hours ago

November 15, 2024

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The Eastern US's first CFI-funded EV charging hub comes online

CF EV charging — Photo: Joint Office of Energy and Transportation

The first EV charging hub funded by the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program in the Eastern US is now online in Deerfield, Massachusetts.

The town installed the region’s first DC fast chargers (four ports), along with four Level 2 chargers, at 59 North Main Street in South Deerfield.

These new charging stations, funded with $2.46 million from the CFI program, are conveniently located near Interstate 91 in Franklin County, the most rural county in Massachusetts, which serves drivers from Connecticut up to the Canadian border.

The hub also features local and regional bus stops and designated bike lanes with secure onsite bike racks. The chargers are meant to cater to everyone: from local residents and visitors to municipal EVs and commercial vehicles that service the region’s businesses, like those in food and beverage manufacturing.

Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, sees this as a model for future projects:

Multi-modal charging hubs in communities are key to giving more people the choice to ride and drive electric. The Town of Deerfield is showing leadership in building out convenient charging infrastructure that brings new transportation choices to rural and disadvantaged communities while supporting local commerce.

In recent years, Deerfield has experienced increased climate change-driven flooding from nearby rivers, including the Deerfield River, the Connecticut River, and the Bloody Brook. The project incorporates environmental engineering designed to mitigate and adapt to the effects of flooding and climate, including the installation of permeable asphalt and rain gardens, planting of native trees, grasses, and shrubs, and the creation of new greenspace in the center of Deerfield.

The Biden-Harris administration’s CFI Grant Program is expanding EV infrastructure nationwide. It offers grants for projects that complement and expand upon the initiatives of the NEVI program in urban, rural, and disadvantaged and low-income communities. So far, the CFI Grant Program has allocated over $1 billion to nearly 100 projects across the US, encouraging private investments and expanding the EV charging network to make EV ownership more practical and convenient.

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Environment

Kia’s new low-cost EV4 was just spotted in the US for the first time

Published

11 hours ago

November 15, 2024

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Kia's new low-cost EV4 was just spotted in the US for the first time

Kia’s upcoming EV4 electric sedan was just spotted testing in the US for the first time. The low-cost EV is expected to make its big debut by the end of the year. Here’s a look at the new model.

The EV4 will round out Kia’s new “EVs for all” master plan launched last year. Kia showcased three new models, the EV3, EV4, and EV5, during its first annual EV Day in October 2023.

During the event, Kia outlined its new global strategy to “lead and accelerate the EV revolution” with a wide range of models priced from $30,000 to $80,000.

Kia plans to rapidly expand its lineup with a series of smaller, lower-priced models. It launched the EV9, its first three-row electric SUV, which is already proving to be a hot seller in the US. Starting at under $55,000, the EV9 is still a great deal compared to others in its class, but Kia plans to go even lower.

The EV3 and EV4 are expected to be among the most affordable electric vehicles when they arrive in the US.

Kia’s new EV4 is now testing in the US

Ahead of its official debut, Kia’s new EV4 sedan was recently caught driving on US streets for the first time.

The latest image from KindelAuto doesn’t reveal much more than what’s been shown in the past, but the fact that it’s now testing in the US is significant.

Kia EV4 caught on US streets for the first time (Source: KindelAuto)

Kia’s EV3 is already on sale in Korea, starting at around $30,000 (42.08 million won). Earlier this week, the company said its new compact SUV is now available across Europe, starting at around $38,000 (36,000 euros) with a “segment-leading range” of up to 375 miles (WLTP).

Next up will be the EV4. Kia is expected to officially reveal the new EV by the end of the year, with deliveries starting in 2025. It could be as soon as next week at the 2024 LA Auto Show.

The interior will feature Kia’s advanced new ccNC infotainment system with dual 12.3″ navigation and driver display screens. An otherwise minalimalistic design is expected inside.

Kia’s EV4 will also be available in a hatchback variant. Although the hatch is likely aimed at European buyers, it was also recently spotted testing in the US for the first time.