Chinese car maker BYD wins biggest order in Cuba

BYD's new energy vehicle is displayed during the 2015 Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition. [Photo/IC]

HAVANA - Chinese automaker BYD won its biggest order of 719 cars in Cuba, said the company Monday.

The order of 719 cars, the biggest since the company entered the Cuban market in 2014, include BYD's gasoline vehicle models like L3, S6, G6, M6 and Surui, according to the company's website.

Those cars will be used for car rental service, as the island's tourism industry expects more overseas tourists in the coming years, especially those from the United States, as the two countries have announced to open their embassies in each other's soil after 54 years of enmity.

The order was signed during a Chinese delegation's visit to Cuba from June 30 to July 1. Xu Qin, delegation leader and mayor of Shenzhen city of Guangdong province witnessed the signing of the contract together with Cuban Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz.

"We welcome more Chinese brands like BYD to provide Cuban people with trustworthy products. We also welcome more Chinese friends to travel here," said Malmierca.

BYD entered Cuba in 2014 with the first order of 40 passenger vehicles and was listed on the Cuban government procurement catalog in the same year, according to the company.