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BYD to Expand U.K. Electric-Bus Production

  • U.K. bus output said to expand to 200 units per year
  • BYD's growth in Europe follows bus build-up in California
People ride aboard a 60 foot long articulated electric bus, during a demonstration at the BYD Coach and Bus manufacturing facility in Lancaster.

People ride aboard a 60 foot long articulated electric bus, during a demonstration at the BYD Coach and Bus manufacturing facility in Lancaster.

Photographer: Mel Melcon/LA Times via Getty Images
Bloomberg News

BYD Co., the Chinese electric-vehicle manufacturer backed by Berkshire Hathaway Inc., plans to expand U.K. production to about 200 electric buses a year and is negotiating to set up a factory in Europe to meet rising demand, according to a person familiar with the matter.

BYD’s Europe ambitions are growing after reaching an agreement in July to build 51 electric buses with U.K.-based Alexander Dennis Ltd. for use in London. The two companies plan to announce the increase in production next week, according to the person, who declined to be named as the matter is private. A security employee answering the phone at the headquarters of Alexander Dennis said to call during regular business hours.