Even with problems in the U.S., BYD looking to Germany for Euro expansion

Even with a lot of skepticism from the U.S. auto industry, BYD is one confident company. It plans to build its U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles and is still promising to sell the all-electric E6 here by the end of the year. The confidence expands to Europe, where BYD is considering Germany for its new European HQ. Why does BYD need a big base on the continent? Because the Chinese company has long said it wants to sell hybrid and all-electric cars like the E6 in Western Europe starting next year (yes, the company once said the cars would be there in 2010). Automotive News (sub. req.) says that if it sticks to its (updated) timeline, BYD would "become the first Chinese company to market alternative energy-powered vehicles in the region."

Germany also makes sense for a new European headquarters for BYD because of the new joint venture with Daimler that is focused on bringing electric cars to China.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]