Jakarta –
Build Your Dream (BYD) is now so giant, this automotive company from China started with humble beginnings. Flashback 29 years ago, BYD was founded by Chinese chemist Wang Chuanfu in 1995, but not as a car manufacturer.
BYD Asia Pacific Head of Training Jacob Ma said BYD started as a battery company founded on a leased building with 20 employees. Initially the company worked to develop batteries.
“From the start, BYD was not only focused on China, but also expanded to international markets. Three years later we were able to establish a branch in Europe at the end of 1998,” said Head of Training BYD Asia Pacific Jacob Ma at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS ) 2024, JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta.
Then in 2000, BYD batteries became the energy source for Motorola cellphones. Two years later, BYD became China’s first supplier of lithium-ion batteries for Nokia products.
2003 was an important milestone for BYD to enter the automotive industry. In order to be able to make electric cars, BYD learned from building internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. BYD acquired a company called Qinchuan Automobile Company.
“For you to be in the automotive industry you have to get a license from the government. To get a license, at that time BYD bought a state-owned vehicle manufacturer. This means that BYD Auto didn’t start from scratch,” said Jacob.
The first car launched was the BYD F3. It’s not an EV (electric vehicle) but an internal combustion engine (ICE).
“To make an EV car we have to first learn from what is available. This was our first vehicle (BYD F3) from 2005 to 2010, one of the popular vehicles in China,” he said.
In 2007, BYD established its head office in Pingshan New Area, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.
BYD’s popularity skyrocketed. This situation makes BYD need human resources. BYD also has the support of the richest person in the world, Warren Buffett.
In 2008, BYD launched a plug-in hybrid car equipped with solar cell panels, namely the F3DM.
“F3DM is the world’s first plug in hybrid car. BYD is the first to produce a Plug In Hybrid car. DM means dual mode, which means Dual Mode, namely EV and Hybrid,” said Jacob.
In 2020, BYD made big strides in the electric car industry. They make BYD Blade Battery batteries. The technology can make batteries thinner, increasing cooling efficiency and minimizing the risk of fire.
“This technology instantly changes the dimensions of the vehicle,” he said.
Continuing in 2021, BYD is developing DM-I super hybrid technology and the e-platform 3.0 electric car platform, several BYD products that use this platform are Dolphin, Atto 3 and Seal.
BYD then launched a luxury brand called YangWang U8.
Jacob then explained BYD’s sales achievements in the world:
– 2021: 1 million units
– 2022: 3 million units
– 2023: 6 million units
In 2024, BYD will come to Indonesia with the BYD Atto 3, Seal and Dolphin.
“Currently we have 40 offices in the state, around 600 thousand employees,” said Jacob.
“We have become the top 10 automotive companies in the world, in just 20 years,” he added.
Watch the video “BYD Seal Exhibited at IIMS 2024, Prices Starting from IDR 629 Million”
(admin/rgr)
2024-02-22 11:35:16
#history #birth #BYD #finally #giant
