Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD officially launched its brand in Gabon, partnering with LOXEA, a subsidiary of CFAO Mobility.
The event, held at the BYD showroom in Libreville, marks a key step in BYD’s African expansion and supports Gabon’s push for green, sustainable mobility.
The launch drew around 100 guests, including media, government officials, and prospective car buyers.
Gabon’s Minister of Trade, Gninga Chaning Zenaba, was present to witness the milestone moment. The initiative aligns with the country’s Green Economy Transformation Plan and BYD’s global mission to “Cool the Earth by 1°C.”
BYD electric vehicles debut in Gabon with ATTO 3 and Dolphin
As part of its market entry, BYD introduced two models: the BYD ATTO 3 (known as Yuan PLUS in China) and the BYD Dolphin.
The ATTO 3, BYD’s first global export model, features sleek contours, a drag coefficient of 0.29 Cd, and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds.
The Dolphin, a top-three finalist for the 2024 World Urban Car award, offers smart features, advanced safety technology, and energy efficiency explicitly designed for urban drivers.
“Entering the Gabon market is a proud milestone for BYD. Gabon’s bold stance on electrification aligns perfectly with our vision. Local drivers can look forward to enjoying the seamless driving experience, advanced smart features, and environmentally-friendly performance that have made BYD a global leader in electric mobility,” said Ramy Yao, Sales Director of BYD Africa.
Gabon: A strategic launchpad for BYD’s green expansion in Africa
With over 85 percent forest cover, Gabon is widely regarded as one of Africa’s environmental leaders. The government is accelerating efforts to green its economy, making it an ideal launchpad for BYD’s sustainable mobility strategy across the continent.
“BYD’s choice of Gabon is strategic. The country’s environmental policies align strongly with BYD’s vision to ‘Cool the Earth by 1°C.’ Leveraging our established sales network across Africa, we will demonstrate our commitment to serving Africa from within Africa, extending the ‘Gabon model’ throughout West Africa,” said Marc Hirschfeld, Managing Director of CFAO Mobility.
Yao Shu, Director of Automobile Sales for BYD Africa, added: “Gabon shares BYD’s vision of electrification and green transformation. Local car owners will benefit from our industry-leading new energy technologies, enjoying a high-quality driving experience and low-carbon travel options.”
BYD expands its African footprint to 17 markets
BYD’s launch in Gabon marks its 17th African market, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to supporting the continent’s green transition. As African countries adopt policies to reduce emissions and modernise transport infrastructure, BYD aims to offer more diverse, locally relevant models in partnership with trusted distributors.
“Gabon’s environmental policies are highly consistent with BYD’s mission to ‘cool the Earth by 1°C.’ With our extensive sales network across Africa, we aim to demonstrate our commitment to the continent by using Gabon as a model for sustainable mobility solutions throughout West Africa,” reiterated Marc Hirschfeld.
Looking ahead, BYD is committed to strengthening its presence in Africa and promoting sustainable, low-emission mobility. The partnership with Gabon sets the tone for a greener, more connected future.