Category: Minority Stock Positions

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Norway’s first electric articulated buses, produced by China’s BYD, began service on route 31E in Oslo Norway on 21 December.

Nobina is the first operator in Europe to put the Chinese produced BYD articulated electric bus into operation. Two 18-metre buses are running on route 31 and 31E, Norway’s heaviest duty routes carrying approximately 15 million customers a year and approximately 50,000 daily travelers. The routes are operated by Nobina on behalf of Ruter (PTA).

“We look forward to gaining valuable experience with these climate-friendly and quiet buses. Line 31 is the first route to try such a concept in Norway. In Nobina, we are very pleased to be able to help drive the switch to green buses in Oslo in cooperation with Ruter. This is an innovative contribution to our service in Oslo,” says managing director of Nobina, Jan Volsdal.

Other electric buses are on trial in Norway but, unlike them, the BYD articulated ebuses do not use opportunity charging via pantographs and street facilities, but charge at the depot.

The articulated ebuses running on Line 31 and Line 31E operate between Grorud and Tonsenhagen, a distance of 17 to 24 km.

“We showed off our articulated ebus concept more than two years ago and we are delighted to see it enter passenger-carrying service,” said Isbrand Ho, Managing Director of BYD Europe. “Conditions in Oslo are challenging for electric vehicles but we have every confidence that our ebuses will perform well in this heavily trafficked route even in the deep cold of the Norwegian winter.”

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2017 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the 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.

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A fleet of 10 pure electric buses manufactured by Chinese new energy technology company BYD is now in service on the Japanese island of Okinawa, marking the beginning of the island’s electrified public transportation initiative.

A total of 10 BYD K9 buses now run a shuttle service to and from the Okinawa Naha Port. BYD is the only Chinese automaker to enter the Japanese market, and only with pure electric vehicles.

This is not the first time BYD has delivered its e-buses to Japan. In 2015, five BYD K9 buses started running in the city of Kyoto. This time, Japan placed the additional order to operate the K9 fleet in the historic city of Okinawa, which hosts millions of visitors each year.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2017 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the 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.

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China’s BYD Co. Ltd., the world’s leading supplier of rechargeable lithium batteries, has received an industry award for its high voltage lithium storage system B-Box HV. The versatile concept and its features for high efficiency have been recognized by the industry experts on a jury panel from pv magazine award 2017 for top innovation.

BYD’s B-Box HV drives progress in three categories: with the modularity, the charging and discharging performance and the efficiency. The efficiency had also been tested in a recent storage system performance test and could show impressive results, surpassing the competition.

The B-Box HV lithium storage system was launched in spring 2017 and employs the successful modular design of the B-Box series with battery capacities ranging from 6.4 to 11.5 kWh, providing more than enough energy for the average household and can be scaled up to 57.5kWh for light commercial. The B-Box features excellent efficiency, delivering higher capacity for the best return on investment. The system supports constant 1C and 2C peak charge and discharge rates, and provides best in class useable capacity ratios. As a result it can support household electric devices longer with more power. An innovative connection system allows for an extremely easy plug-and-play installation without the need to connect cables.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2017 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the 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.

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The first two BYD 100% electric buses are operating in Santiago, Chile. With the debut of the buses, Santiago moves forward as one of the pioneers in the field of electromobility in Latin America, consolidating the new requirements included in Transantiago’s bidding basis.

The electric buses will be operated permanently by Metbus on route 516 and their routes will include the most important arteries of 8 districts of the city. According to the information available, the operational costs will be reduced by 70% compared to conventional diesel buses, reaching a value of 70 Chilean pesos per kilometer, against 300 Chilean pesos for diesel. The full charge of the vehicle has a cost of 19,500 Chilean pesos. BYD’s new energy vehicle footprint currently covers over 200 cities in 50 countries and regions.

Secretary of State, Paola Tapia, stated that “Electromobility is not the future; it is the present we are living today in the capital’s transportation system. We are moving forward in providing quality for users by incorporating the electric buses today, fulfilling the commitment to offer more comfort, greater service efficiency and care for the environment. In 2018 we will have another 90 of these buses circulating; making us electrified public transportation pioneers in Latin America. Our embrace of this technology prioritizes passengers, which forms the basis of the bidding process.” Additionally, Paola said that this strategy highlights the importance of electric vehicles, for their significant contribution to the reduction of pollutants and noise levels in areas of high exposure.”

The Minister of Environment, Jorge Canals, said that “the metropolitan region suffers increased pollution problems during winter, largely by emissions from mobile sources. Therefore, the incorporation of these electric buses comes as a cleaner alternative in urban transport. It is important to emphasize that a vehicle during traffic congestion contaminates 4 times more than one circulating normally.”

The Minister of Energy, Andrés Rebolledo, explained that “the entry of these first two electric buses are great news for a country like Chile, since the transport sector represents one third of the energy consumption, and it imports practically all the fuel used for transportation.”

The General Manager of E-Solutions of Enel Chile, Simone Tripepi, commented that “at Enel we want to be part of the solution of important issues such as the decontamination of cities. Therefore, we have strongly promoted electric mobility in Chile, based on clean energy and lower prices as compared to other fuels. We have the capacity to provide the necessary electrical infrastructure to facilitate the dissemination of electrified public transportation in Santiago and regions.”

Tamara Berríos, BYD’s Country Manager in Chile explained that “One single electric bus prevents the equivalent to the emissions and pollution from 33 gasoline vehicles. So far, BYD has supplied 27 thousand pure electric buses to over 200 cities worldwide, so we are confident that our experience and maturity in this sector will ensure we can successfully deliver a high quality service that will set a new standard of comfort for users and city dwellers in Chile.”

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2017 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the 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.

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Just weeks after new energy company BYD announced it is in talks to build one of its monrails in Egypt, the company is looking to do the same in the Philippines.

BYD and the city of Iloilo are currently exploring the possibility of constructing a 20-kilometre SkyRail monorail by 2019.

“Air pollution and traffic congestion are twin problems many cities around the world are faced with,” said Liu Xueliang, General Manager for BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division. “We are very excited to bring more of our solutions to the Philippines to create a cleaner living environment for everyone.”

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2017 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the 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.

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New energy technology company BYD is negotiating to bring its SkyRail monorail to the ancient Egyptian port city of Alexandria, the country’s second largest.

The proposed project will be planned for the construction of a 128 kilometer track. The potential collaboration comes four years after Alexandria local authorities began exploring options to relieve their city of chronic traffic jams.

“Strategic Partnership,” Said General Engineer / Khaled Eleiwa, “BYD has a very strong reputation and reliable image especially in Egypt, we are so glad to have such kind of cooperation step with BYD, and we hope to see the SkyRail operates in Alexandria as soon as possible”.

“BYD’s SkyRail is a clean, affordable and safe way for people to commute. It also utilizes limited road space in towns and cities while minimizing disruption to local communities,” said AD Huang. “Today’s cooperation is a step towards developing wider partnership that we have maintained with Egypt over the past 13 years”.

BYD’s SkyRail is substantially cost saving and quicker to construct compared to a subway, requiring only a fifth of the cost and one third of the construction time. BYD has conducted feasibility studies in more than 100 cities worldwide including the city of Iloilo in the Philippines, and has entered into strategic partnerships with over 10 cities in China. SkyRail is currently operating in Yinchuan, an industrial city in China’s northwest. Construction of BYD SkyRail lines are also expected to begin in 20 cities in 2018.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2017 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the 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.

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Chinese battery and vehicle manufacturer BYD reports that Connexxion has ordered 21 units of its new Midibuses for use in the north part of North Holland. The new fleet will deliver a service in largely rural areas during the daytime.

Delivery of the Midibuses and the start of operation is scheduled in the summer of 2018. The new BYD model takes BYD Europe into a new market sector and augments the BYD ebus range which includes single deckers up to 18m longer, double deckers and an electric coach.

The Midibuses ordered by Connexxion have an overall length of 8.75m, two doors and have seats for 26 passengers (with a total capacity of about 50).

According to BYD, this is believed to be one of the largest orders for heavy duty pure electric midibuses in Europe and is certainly the first significant one to be placed by a Dutch operator.

Eric van Eijndhoven, Managing Director of Public Transport for Connexxion, said: “We chose BYD due to its proven and leading electric bus and battery technology. We are delighted to be the first user of this important new model and know our passengers will enjoy the new levels of green performance the buses will deliver.“

Isbrand Ho, BYD Europe’s Managing Director, said: “This is great news which confirms the attractiveness of our new model which brings big bus features to the midibus sector. This is a real bus with all the reliable, heavy duty features operators expect but smaller than our other ebuses and of course totally emissions free.”

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2017 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the 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.

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BYD Company Ltd., the world’s leading manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, is focusing on the Australian renewable energy market with its proprietary Lithium-Iron Phosphate battery.

At All-Energy Australia 2017 – the country’s largest renewable energy exhibition, BYD exhibited its MINI-ES, B-Box – in high-voltage and low-voltage versions – and Containerized Energy Storage solutions to provide the market with increased efficiency, economy and flexibility.

The BYD B-Box Storage System comes in two versions: low-voltage B-Box LV and high-voltage B-Box HV. The B-Box LV system operates with a Goodwe S-BP inverter, making it the cost effective; and the B-Box HV system operates with an SMA Sunny Boy Storage inverter, which raises the system’s level of efficiency. Both are aimed at the retrofit market that is booming in Australia, that is, a market in which people already have solar panels installed and want to install an energy storage system.

Another advantage of the BYD B-Box systems is that they are modular and scalable from 2.5kWh to 442kWh – users can increase the capacity of parallel battery rack to meet different requirements of energy storage – whereas major competitors only reach 13.5kWh with a large-sized system.

A variety of configurations of the two versions of the BYD B-Box can also be used for commercial purposes.

The MINI-ES is a small-sized, all-in-one residential energy storage system that is easy to install and maintain, with an original capacity of 3kW / 3kWh that can be expanded to 6kWh. This system is fully certified by Australia’s SAA, in line with the latest Australian AS / NZS 4777.2: 2015 standard, and has become very popular with a number of Australian local power grid companies and electricity retailers.

Over 500 Australian households have already installed the BYD MINI-ES.

The BYD Containerized Energy Storage has a modular design to meet different large-scale energy storage projects demands, and features extreme safety, reliability and efficiency. It can be used for peak load and frequency regulation to stabilize renewable energy or as a back-up system to prevent outages.

Current installed capacity of BYD ESS exceeds 400MWh globally.

BYD and Berkshire Hathaway

In 2008, Berkshire Hathaway bet on BYD’s potential, purchasing 225 million shares. It’s an investment that has paid off handsomely. Berkshire’s original investment of $230 million is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.

For More on BYD, read the Special Report: BYD, Berkshire’s Tesla.

© 2017 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the 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.