BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles (NEVs), has appointed Louwman as its national dealer partner in the Netherlands.
The strategic partnership with the long-established Louwman Group marks an important phase for BYD as it continues to expand its eco-friendly electric passenger vehicle business.
Louwman will offer a digital platform for online ordering, customer service and assistance, and also provide both offline sales and aftersales services for BYD passenger vehicles through its huge dealer network at key locations across the Netherlands.
Several physical stores will be opened at key locations in the Netherlands, starting with Amsterdam. From September, customers will be able to visit the pioneering store in Amsterdam and review BYD’s latest models.
Louwman Group, has a long and successful heritage in the automotive industry dating back nearly a century. Privately owned, it has become one of the largest automotive companies in Europe with branches in 70 locations associated with many global brands. Louwman, like BYD, has traditionally been involved in many successful collaborations, sharing the same ambitions for a greener future through innovative sustainable eMobility solutions.
Michael Shu, General Manager and Managing Director, BYD Europe and International Cooperation Division: “We are proud to start our BYD passenger vehicles journey in the Netherlands with such an experienced and respected partner as Louwman. Louwman’s market recognition and resources combined, will enable BYD to rapidly establish brand awareness and generate sales of our world-leading new energy passenger vehicles in the Netherlands. Like BYD, Louwman is a business that thrives on being innovative. Together we look forward to achieving our shared vision to accelerate electrification and zero-emission transport in the Netherlands.”
Eric Louwman, President of Louwman Group: “It is an exciting partnership and fits perfectly with our goal of ‘Mobility for Life’. BYD is the world’s leading NEV manufacturer who is known around the globe for groundbreaking battery technology, which is at the heart of all BYD’s impressive new energy vehicles. We are delighted to offer a wide appealing range of eco-friendly BYD vehicles to our customers in the Netherlands with the reassurance of superior safety, long range performance and high standards of all-round quality. Leasing companies are already showing great interest in various models.”
BYD and Berkshire Hathaway
In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares for $232 million. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $232 million had grown in value to $7.69 billion as of December 31, 2021.
Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.