BYD receives third large order from Spain
Business is taking off for BYD now also in Southern Europe where the bus builder received its third order from Spain. The city of Badajoz has ordered 15 all-electric buses. Deliveries are scheduled in spring 2019.
After Valencia and most recently Badalona, Badajoz is the third Spanish city turning to BYD. This time, the order is also the largest ever in Spain as a fleet of 15 electric buses measuring 12 metres each are on the way.
The electric vehicles have been ordered by TUBASA, a public transport operator belonging to the much larger Grupo Ruiz.
For China’s BYD, Europe is proving a growing market, particularly in the South. Says Isbrand Ho, Managing Director at BYD Europe: “Our potential in the Iberian market is rapidly growing with consecutive orders from Spain and Portugal. Up till now we have confirmed 32 ebuses that will be running in both countries by summer 2019, and we have confidence there will be more to come.”
The deal in Portugal sees BYD deliver 8 electric buses to operator SMTUC in the town of Coimbra. While it is a first for BYD to deliver to Portugal, the firm says orders in Europe amount to 400 to date.
The Spanish market appears in motion and could soon see “home made” competitors. Just days ago, Spain’s rail system maker CAF announced its plan to buy bus maker Solaris. Their acquisition if approved, is in line with a new strategy to offer integrated transport solutions to an even wider portfolio of clients. The firm expects not only to enter the (electric) bus business but to also open new opportunities for its urban railway business in Central and Eastern Europe (we reported).
For Solaris the offers comes in a period of growth. The bus maker from Poland now has a presence in over 700 cities in 32 countries. Their turnover was close to €450 million in 2017 and they delivered 1,397 buses, including conventional models last year.
0 Comments