CHINA’S MAGNIFICENT “ BYD” LAUNCHES BIGGEST STORE IN SOUTH AFRICA

By

Abbey Makoe

Build Your Dreams, better-known as BYD – the famous Chinese automobile brand – has launched in South Africa’s financial capital, Sandton, in Johannesburg.

Attended by a select group of key stakeholders, the new 4S dealership was buzzing with excitement over an array of exquisite high-tech vehicles that lay displayed on the magnificent shop floor in Rivonia Road.

The grand opening was BYD’s latest milestone in green mobility in South Africa. It displayed both full electric vehicles as well as the hybrid models. “Build Yours Dreams, Create the Future!”, was the slogan of the launch. Indeed, South Africa is reaping the benefits of extremely cordial bilateral relations with China. Only a couple of years ago, SA President Cyril Ramaphosa undertook a state visit to China and visited the manufacturing plant of BYD, and appealed for investment in SA.

*The ribbon-cutting ceremony during the official launch of the BYD Dealership in Sandton, Johannesburg (Image: GSMN Files)*

In August 2023, President Xi whilst on a state visit to SA, attending the 15^th BRICS Summit declared that relations between Beijing and Pretoria had entered the “Golden Era”. The fruits of true friendship can now be seen through the mega-funded launch of BYD’s Electric Vehicles (EV) on SA soil. The investment by BYD not only has created top-notch employment of local skill that the company has had to initially train in brand understanding and other skills transfer. BYD has demonstrated full confidence in SA’s energy security by supplying the local markets with EV’s.

The General Manager of BYD in SA, Mr Wu Song, was visibly over-the-moon about the grand opening of his dealership. “This is going to serve the South African markets to best of our ability,” he said. “We have full confidence in South Africa. That is why we are here,” Mr Wu Song added joyfully.

*GSMN Editor-in-Chief Mr Abbey Makoe is greeted by the Head of BYD in SA Mr Wu Song during the launch of the BYD Dealership in Sandton, South Africa (Image: GSMN Files)*

After thirty years in the industry, and having started as a battery manufacturer, BYD has grown to become one of the world’s most admired brands.

In fact, it has become a global leader in new energy vehicles and green technology. This new energy vehicle leadership store is operated by Harmony Auto, a multi-national automotive deader group. It is also the largest of all BYD’s many stores’ dealerships in SA. It is also the first store of Harmony Auto in SA.

A program director during the grand opening said it was her “first time to see so many BYD motors in one store”.

*GSMN Editor-in-Chief Mr Abbey Makoe is pictured observing the showcase during the official launch of the BYD Dealership in Sandton, South Africa (Image: GSMN Files)*

The beauty about BYD’s fully electric vehicles is that they also come with portable charges, just in case owners need to undertake a long-distance journey without spending any amount of money on fuel.

For example, BYD Seal can give owners a whopping 500 km on a fully charged battery. And BYD Dolphin can give up to 400 km on fully charged battery. One day, when the story of SA’s transition to green energy in the auto industry will be written, BYD’s contribution to the clean environment will be written in glowing terms. In addition, SA’s economy will receive a major boost with the increased investment of BYD into the local economy. Motorists can be spoiled for choice at BYD, given the different models that are already displayed on the shop floor, with an amazing sales team visibly enthusiastic to assist in explain the advantages of each model.