Automotive News Europe — 2024-01-16
Automotive Industry
BYD's first vehicle vessel has set sail from China's southern city of Shenzhen carrying electric vehicles bound for Europe.
The roll-on/roll-off vehicle carrier, called BYD Explorer No.1, can carry up to 7,000 vehicles. BYD expects seven more vessels to join the fleet over the next two years.
BYD said the launch of the ship marks a pivotal step for the company's expansion into overseas markets.
Chinese automakers including BYD, Chery and SAIC have been placing orders for vessels to counter rising shipping costs as they boost exports.
The Explorer No.1, built by Yantai CIMC Raffles Shipyard for Israeli shipping company Zodiac Maritime, will stop in Flushing Port in the Netherlands and the German port of Bremerhaven, local media reported.
China exported 5.2 m vehicles in 2023 and is estimated to have overtaken Japan as the world's largest auto exporter.
BYD exported about 243,000 cars out of its total sales of 3 m units in 2023, with Australia, Brazil and Israel among its biggest overseas markets, data from China Passenger Car Association showed.