Chinese manufacturing giant BYD has launched a "revolutionary" new model as it celebrates a significant milestone in its worldwide expansion.
Its latest model will combine its popular Super Hybrid vehicle and biofuel technology as it looks to dominate in the Brazilian market.
BYD launched the vehicle at an event to officially inaugurate its final-assembly line in Camaçari, Brazil, where it produces the SONG PRO.
The model will feature BYD's DM-i (Dual Mode Intelligent) technology and can run on any ratio of petrol and ethanol.
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While the vehicle is only available in Brazil, the SONG PRO could prove to be a major hit for the Chinese brand, with Brazilians leading the world in the adoption of so-called "flex-fuel" technology.
The Super Hybrid system will be accompanied by a 1.5-litre engine that can use petrol and ethanol, delivering "strong performance and high efficiency".
A limited edition SONG PRO COP30 was presented to the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in preparation for the global climate conference next month.
The special model, which rolled off the production line in Camaçari, became BYD's 14 millionth new energy vehicle globally.
The BYD SONG PRO COP30 was presented to President Lula in Brazil
|BYD
In total, 30 of the SONG PRO COP30 models are being donated to the United Nations climate summit, which will kick off in Belém from November 10.
Wang Chuanfu, founder and CEO of BYD, said the world's first plug-in hybrid engine dedicated to ethanol was created by more than 100 Chinese and Brazilian engineers after two years of work.
He added: "This is not just a technological breakthrough - it is a green and sustainable solution tailor-made for Brazil.
"Two years ago, on a visit to Brazil, I realised the potential of ethanol. We then decided that we would bring our plug-in hybrid technology, but with a flex engine developed by and for this country."
BYD CEO Wang Chuanfu and Brazilian President Lula da Silva at the Camaçari factory
|BYD
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The BYD SONG PRO will be able to run on any ratio of petrol and ethanol
|BYD
The presentation held by Mr Chuanfu and President Lula was also attended by Global Executive VP and CEO of BYD for the Americas and Europe, Stella Li, CEO of BYD Brazil, Tyler Li, and Senior VP and Head of Sales and Marketing at BYD Brazil, Alexandre Baldy.
BYD's Brazilian production factory was built in just 15 months and has been operational since July this year.
The facility, which already employs more than 1,500 people, is expected to produce 150,000 vehicles per year in the first phase and 300,000 in its later stage.
It is also the largest electric vehicle production facility in Latin America and BYD's largest facility outside of Asia. It is expected to manufacture all of the brand's main models in the coming years.
The Camaçari factory will eventually be able to produce all of BYD's main models
|BYD
Stella Li, CEO of BYD for the Americas and Europe, highlighted the importance of ethanol in Brazil's push to slash emissions, calling it "one of Brazil's greatest strategic advantages".
She noted that it was a "crucial step forward" in helping Brazil become a global leader in sustainable mobility.
The executive continued, saying: "BYD believes in the growth potential of the Brazilian market, has long-term plans for a population that deserves increasingly better vehicles, and will continue to invest to help boost the economy, create jobs, and train the workforce.
"This factory is 100 per cent Brazilian, created so that Brazilians have access to better, more modern, connected, technological, and sustainable cars."