Expansion Management

Brazil New Home of BYD's Electric Bus and Battery Plant

July 16, 2014

In the first year of operation (starting in 2015), the plant will have a maximum production capacity of 1,000 electric buses as well as all of their batteries.

Adrienne Selko

BYD, one of China’s largest companies whcih specializing in battery technologies, announced yesterday that the city of Campinsas, in the São Paulo region of Brazil, has been selected as the home to the company's newest factory.

It is the company’s first South American manufacturing facility.

"BYD chose Campinas because of this city's spirit of innovation and their goal of building a cleaner society," explained BYD Founder and Chairman, Wang Chuanfu. "Along with the buses and batteries, our dream is to buildsolar panels and energy storage systems here to help the region achieve their zero emissions goals."

The factory is slated to open in 2015, will create 450 new jobs.

According to the BYD the facility will launch the manufacturing and assembly of the world’s only long range pure electric transit bus in South America as well as the first fire safe and recyclable Iron-Phosphate battery packs.

"In the first year of operation (starting in 2015), the plant will have a maximum production capacity of 1,000 electric buses as well as all of their batteries," said BYD Brazil's General Manager Tyler Li. "This is the first stage of manufacturing expansion."

In addition to the 32,000m² and 20,000m² manufacturing facilities on campus, BYD also plans to open a research & development center for their Photovoltaic, Smart-Grid and LED Lighting businesses in the second phase of site development.

"In February of this year, we visited BYD in China and observed cutting edge technology and the quality of their products," said President of Invest Saint Paulo, Luciano Almeida. "The arrival of BYD in the state strengthens the role of São Paulo to always be at the forefront of new technologies. "

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.