[Supv. Antonovich] – With the support of Los Angeles County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich, the MTA Board of Directors voted unanimously to authorize two contract options worth $263 million with Kinkisharyo LLC to build 60 light rail vehicles at its Palmdale manufacturing plant.

“This order for 60 light rail vehicles that will be used on the existing and expanding system is a vital step forward in our efforts to cement the presence of Kinkisharyo and transportation manufacturing in Palmdale.  Kinkisharyo and BYD create jobs for local workers and propel the Antelope Valley to be the location of choice for transit vehicle manufacturing,” said Antonovich.

“These cars will be built in Palmdale by Antelope Valley residents thanks to the strong regional support for Kinkisharyo’s quality of product and location of its USA manufacturing plant in Los Angeles County,” he added. “Our partnership with Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti, business groups, and local leaders helped make this day a reality.”

One of Los Angeles Metro’s first Battery Electric Transit Buses built by Southern California Electric Vehicle manufacturer BYD Motors (PRNewsFoto/BYD Motors Inc.)

ALSO: MTA Takes Delivery of Electric Buses

Los Angeles County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich, Chairman Wang Chuan-fu, Stella Li, BYD President, Lancaster city officials and the MTA executives commemorate the delivery of the MTA’s all-electric transit buses.

BYD, a world-leading manufacturer of buses and electric batteries, is prepared to hire at least 160 highly-skilled assembly positions in Lancaster to satisfy orders.

BYD has already delivered five all-electric buses to the MTA with an option for a total of 25 buses, and Long Beach Transit is in the process of authorizing 10 all-electric buses for that agency.

Steven Chueng, World Trade Center, Mayor Antonovich, BYD Chairman Wang Chuan-fu,

Stella Li, BYD President and Mark Bozigian, Lancaster City Manager

Los Angeles County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich,

Stella Li, BYD President and BYD Chairman Wang Chuan-fu