With the aim of strengthening its offer and technology in electric vehicles, Astara, one of the world’s leading mobility companies, announced a strategic alliance with BYD in Chile to represent and distribute its zero-emission cars from the first quarter of 2023.
The Chinese company is betting heavily on the Latin American market after the announcement, a few days ago, of the launch of its first commercial vehicles in Mexico.
With the innovative support of BYD, Astara will promote the electrification of the automotive fleet, becoming a benchmark in terms of energy transition in Chile and the world.
“At Astara we are firmly committed to sustainability and we are committed to vehicles that help us evolve towards sustainable mobility. We are extremely pleased with the agreement we signed today with BYD, which allows us to reinforce Astara’s leadership in the country,” said Francisco Urzúa, General Manager of Astara Latam.
For her part, Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD and President of BYD America expressed her satisfaction with this new step that the Asian company is taking in Chile.
“As advocates of sustainability, we seek to be a long-term partner in the transformation of the country towards green mobility. Today, with more than 430 buses operating in Santiago, we are witnessing a new milestone with BYD new energy passenger vehicles entering the Chilean market,” he added.
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New Lineup
Li reported that local sales of BYD’s Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) will begin in early 2023. The models that Astara Chile unveiled were the Tang EV and Han EV electric cars, which could be tested by the guests who attended the event.
In that sense, Cristian Garcés, BYD Astara Brand Manager explained that BYD vehicles stand out for their high level of manufacturing quality, with a modern design, and motorization of great features and performance, with autonomies of more than 400 kilometers.
“One of the main features of these cars are the Blade batteries, also manufactured by them, recognized for their innovation and high level of safety,” he stressed.
Specifically about the Tang EV model, they detailed that it is a purely electric SUV of 4.87 meters, has a spacious interior with capacity for 7 passengers, driving assistance systems, and a high-strength body with integral safety.
It has two engines that together develop more than 500 hp and 608 Nm of torque. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, its braking distance is 36 meters and it takes 30 minutes to have a 30% to 80% charge.
Garcés said that during the first quarter of 2023 the commercialization of these cars will begin, which will also include other models within the segments of city cars, sedans and SUVs with different modalities and specifications.
