BYD Coming to the U.S. via California

The Chinese electric & internal combustion vehicle producer BYD (Build Your Dreams), might include the U.S. in its development plans - the company might build a production site and inaugurate its North American headquarters in Los Angeles County, California, as Gasgoo reports.

BYD’s American factory might cover an area larger than 1 million square feet and, if built, is expected to create hundreds of jobs. The exact location of the carmaker’s headquarters might be revealed in the following months, with details about the plant expected to follow the announcement.

It is reported that both Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City authorities met BYD officials in an effort to convince them to build the plant in the area. This was necessary due to the fact that Long Beach and Lancaster are also keen to attract the Chinese development.

The U.S. expansion is part of a much greater plan - BYD (which is 10 percent owned by U.S. billionaire Warren Buffett) has announced its intention of becoming the world’s number one carmaker by 2025.

The company showcased its e6 electric vehicle at the Detroit Auto Show in January and announced that it wants to enter the U.S. market during the current year. In addition to that, the company wants to enter the European market, as it announced that it plans to bring the e6, along with other models, to Europe next year. BYD recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Daimler AG for the co-development of electric vehicles in China.