Electric-vehicle maker BYD opens U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles

Chinese electric car company BYD has opened its North American headquarters in Los Angeles and said it plans to hire about 150 workers to staff the office.

As part of the opening celebration at its offices on Figueroa Street in downtown L.A., BYD displayed one of the electric shuttle buses to be used by Hertz to transport rental car customers at Los Angeles International Airport.

The BYD eBUS-12 can to run for about 155 miles on a single charge in urban conditions, BYD said.

BYD also showed off what it called an electric “passenger SUV.”

There's no word on when the company might begin selling vehicles in the United States.

"BYD looks forward to entering the U.S. consumer market, though a launch date has not yet been set. Fleet trials of BYD's cars in Los Angeles began in December of last year, and the first electric bus trials are beginning this month," said Micheal Austin, vice president of BYD America.

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-- Jerry Hirsch
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Photo: Hertz will use this BYD electric shuttle bus at Los Angeles International Airport. Credit: BYD