Now a mainstay in the Australasian bus market, BYD has unveiled two new electric models and an upgraded Melbourne facility to elevate its zero-emissions focus
BYD has unveiled two new varying models for the local market (Images: BYD Australia)It’s been just over a year since global vehicle and battery manufacturing giant BYD established its own full factory backed commercial vehicle division responsible for trucks and buses in Australia and New Zealand.
Following the massive leap that saw BYD appoint experienced industry member Jon Tozer as its director of commercial vehicles, BYD Australia has solidified its local presence, culminating in a major display at September’s National Bus and Coach Show in Brisbane.
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Following the Show, BYD is ready to introduce exciting new bus technology from its global headquarters in China to local operators, starting with the B70.
“The B70, with its low floor design and overall length of seven metres, comes with a seating capacity of up to 18 passengers, or 16 with a wheelchair,” BYD Australia commercial vehicles sales executive Steve Glenny told ABC.
“Based on tried and tested, last-mile and first-mile feeder routes using similar-sized bus platforms throughout Europe and Asia, the BYD B70 appeals to a broad market, from local government to small shuttles and the private sector.”
Alongside its new vehicles, BYD has also relocated to a new facility in Dandenong, Victoria
With a raft of models operating around the world in a variety of climates and locations, BYD has decided that the B70 is the perfect model to bring to Australia. The arrival of the B70 is driven by the demand for smaller vehicles that provide clean, quiet and smooth transport since the withdrawal of the Hino Poncho from the local market.
The B70 comes with an extra edge that its predecessors in the Australasian region have lacked. The new model features BYD’s cutting-edge Blade Battery technology that has proven itself as a pioneer in the battery industry in recent years. Having undergone years of rigorous testing, the BYD Blade Battery is made up of ultra-safe lithium iron phosphate.
“The BYD B70 is available in Australia now and we’ve already had a lot of enquiries,” Glenny says.
“When we specified the body design, the key focus was to reduce the whole of life costing that an operator incurs, so one of the points was that there was to be no fancy lights that cost a fortune to replace, just off the shelf truck lights.”
BYD Australia commercial vehicles sales executive Steve Glenny
While the B70 is a major milestone for BYD in its bid to continue growing its presence in Australasia, the seven-metre model isn’t the only exciting development for the brand. On top of the B70 release, BYD is also unveiling its BC12B1 as a leading metropolitan city bus model.
“The BC12B1 has been designed from the ground up to make the transition to zero-emissions public transport as simple as possible,” Glenny says.
Compared to its predecessor versions, Glenny says the BC12B1 is vastly improved, with its fundamental BYD Blade Battery technology allowing it to be lighter, more efficient and more powerful. With the latest six-in-one controller included to save space, the internal cabin space is now larger, allowing for a greater seating capacity and more comfort for drivers.
Other improvements include upgraded motors that balance higher efficiency and power to create more range and provide lighter steering through an upgraded power steering set-up.
Glenny says understanding operator needs is key to these updates, with companies requiring more customisation than ever before. It shines through in BYD Australia and New Zealand’s dedicated full suite of optional driver aids and safety features that it offers.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the BC12B1 model to the Australian market, and we have worked closely with local suppliers and operators to drive valuable feedback, enabling access to the latest, most efficient and most comfortable buses on the market,” Glenny says.
“Exceptional aftersales support, coupled with the latest products, positions BYD buses as a leader globally and in Australia.”
World-wide, BYD Commercial Vehicles is a leading electric bus manufacturer, having delivered more than 74,000 electric buses.
The B70 is designed to fill the hole the former Poncho model left in the market
In further news, BYD has recently relocated its Melbourne office from Port Melbourne to a large 1,400sqm factory in Dandenong. This facility will be the national parts centre for BYD commercial vehicles for the Australasian region going forward.
“It’s another instance of us listening to our customers to bring our parts distribution in house,” BYD Australasia director of commercial vehicles Jon Tozer told ABC.
“This will provide the market with a customer focused parts supply.”
“I am a strong believer in the importance of our industry associations and the role they play in supporting operators and suppliers. This year, BYD has provided a BYD Dolphin to the Bus Industry Confederation (BIC) to auction at their Hobart conference,” Tozer says.
“The Dolphin is the smallest of our zero emission cars and is ideally suited as a driver change over car in an operator’s fleet, so I encourage operators to hop online and place a bid on the car and support BIC.”