Chinese Electric Vehicle Manufacturer BYD Expands Presence in East Africa, Entering Rwanda
Chinese EV Maker Extends Reach to Rwanda Build Your Dreams (BYD), a prominent Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced its expansion into Rwanda, marking a strategic move two years after entering the East African nation of Kenya. This development aligns with Rwanda's commitment to sustainable development and provides BYD with an opportunity to introduce its electric models to the African market.
BYD, recognized as China's top-selling automaker and brand, witnessed a remarkable 45% increase in sales in December 2023, culminating in a year-end total of 3,024,417 vehicles – a substantial 61.9% surge from the previous year. Notably, a pioneering electric transit service in East Africa utilizes BYD buses, and the expansion into Rwanda in July 2023 aimed to address the country's fleet shortage.
In a related move, an automobile company in March 2023 announced plans to assemble 130 electric vehicles in Kenya in collaboration with BYD. This partnership reflects the growing interest in electric mobility in the region.
BYD's foray into the South African market in July 2023 included the introduction of Standard Range and Extended Range variants of its Atto 3 model. The company's footprint expanded from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces to the Northern Cape in November.
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