John Keells Group inks exclusive distribution deal with China’s BYD

BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division General Manager Liu Xueliang and John Keells Group Chairman Krishan Balendra at the signing ceremony

Diversified blue-chip John Keells Group has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of BYD passenger vehicles in Sri Lanka. 

BYD or Build Your Dream is expected to overtake Tesla as the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) maker in the last three months of 2023. China has already cemented its place as the biggest producer of EVs in the world.

The inking of the deal took place at BYD’s global headquarters in Shenzhen, attended by BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division General Manager Liu Xueliang and John Keells Group Chaiman Krishan Balendra. “This collaboration enables us to offer a range of advanced, ecofriendly passenger vehicles in Sri Lanka, furthering our mission to integrate eco-conscious with diverse lifestyles and making EV the ‘essential vehicle’ in people’s daily lives,” Xueliang said.

“We are delighted to have our Sri Lanka partner JKH to our global headquarters. In the past 28 years, BYD has been unwavering in its commitment to technological innovations and its green dream. We’re striving to align diverse lifestyles with eco-conscious mobility choices globally,” he added.

Leveraging this partnership, JKH expects to bring down advanced new energy vehicle (NEV) models to Sri Lanka.

Through this partnership, we will bring advanced NEV models to Sri Lanka, letting our people experience the world’s leading technologies of NEV and contribute to an ecofriendly and sustainable Sri Lanka,” Balendra said.
“ESG is firmly entrenched in our business process, workplace culture and community outreach. With our commitment to achieving a sustainable future for the country, we look forward to the exciting opportunities the partnership with BYD holds,” he added.

Currently, BYD’s NEVs span six continents, over 70 countries and regions and more than 400 cities. In 2022 alone, BYD sold more than 1.86 million NEVs globally. Notably, on August 9, 2023, BYD became the world’s first automaker to roll off its five millionth NEV from the production line.