Chinese carmaker BYD Auto is choosing retail groups to distribute and sell its cars in Europe.
Dutch dealer group Autobinck has been appointed BYD distributor for the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary.
An industry source said BYD will announce distributors for other European markets later this week or early next week.
BYD President Wang Chuanfu is currently traveling through Europe to meet with potential distributors.
Henri Li, BYD's European director, signed a contract with Autobinck Chairman Rolf Laurent and CEO Henny van Dijk on July 12 to distribute BYD vehicles in the five European markets.
Van Dijk said that it is not decided yet when BYD will start selling its cars in Europe.
Wang said at the Geneva auto show in March that some BYD models will meet European safety and emission regulations in 2009. "A sales start in early 2010 would be ideal," he said at the show.
BYD intends to start selling plug-in hybrid models in Europe first, with conventional gasoline models following later.