(Yicai Global) June 29 -- China's BYD has partnered with Jamaican car dealer ATL Automotive Group to enter the electric vehicle market of the Caribbean island nation and those of its neighbors.

The cooperation will cover 10 Caribbean nations, including Trinidad and Tobago, to provide consumers with new energy vehicles and after-sales services, the Shenzhen-based company announced on its WeChat account yesterday, citing an agreement signed by the pair in Kingston on June 26.

BYD and ATL will open two stores in Jamaica in the cities of Kingston and Montego Bay whereas Zhang Jin, BYD's manager for Central America and the Caribbean region, said the number of BYD outlets will eventually expand to 10.

Last year, BYD surpassed Tesla by selling almost 1.9 million vehicles, becoming the world’s top electric vehicle manufacturer. Its passenger cars are sold in 53 countries and regions, such as Japan, Germany, and Australia.

Established in 1997, ATL has been the largest investor in the Jamaican automotive industry since 2010, BYD added.

Editor: Emmi Laine