Today we continue our series of My Chinese Boss and Me, and we will be looking at China's electric vehicle maker BYD. The Warren Buffet backed Chinese automaker produced the fleet of electric-powered double deck buses now on London's streets. Now we introduce you to some of the BYD employees who've pushed to make that happen while helping to build a brand name on foreign soil.
Martin Hayes is the key person that helped Chinese electric car maker BYD win a crucial contract to make 70 electric buses. It's no ordinary bus, it's London's iconic double decker.
The deal came as part of BYD's 6.5 billion yuan agreement with the UK to develop new energy vehicles. The agreement was signed last year during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Britain. That was when BYD's concept double decker made its debut at the Lancaster House, catching the attention of the Brits.
Hayes has played a big part in making BYD's name heard in Britain. He used to run his own brand-building business in the automobile industry. He decided to sell his company after working with BYD for 6 years, and sign on with the fast-expanding Chinese electric car maker.
Besides hard work, core technologies are also the key to success. BYD's advanced battery technology has allowed it to give European car makers a run for their money.
"BYD makes all of our own electrical machine and control systems. Therefore we can control their weight. Besides reducing the size of the battery inside the bus, we also have techniques to lower the weight of the machine and control system, and body of the bus," said He Yipeng, President of BYD Europe.
BYD is a young brand that has faced competition from the likes of Mercedes Benz and other car makers that have been in the UK market for over a century. BYD has just signed a deal with Britain's largest bus building companyAlexander Dennis.
As Britain moves to expand its fleet of clean vehicles on the streets of London, Chinese companies get a chance to move up the industry chain and build a good global image. This time when east meet west, it's a win-win outcome for both.
