The BYD Company recently announced that Academy Award-winning actor and United Nations Messenger of Peace, Leonardo DiCaprio, will serve as the new brand ambassador for BYD’s line of new energy vehicles.
BYD is one of the largest new energy vehicle manufacturers in the world, accounting for 11 percent of the global market in 2015 alone. The commitment to new energy vehicles is part of BYD’s “Cool the Earth by 1°C” campaign which seeks the creation of a “Zero Emissions Energy Ecosystem”—comprising renewable energy generation, storage and usage for the purpose of promoting public awareness on climate change and transforming how individuals use energy.
“Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio has greatly inspired the world with his outstanding dedication to saving the planet’s ecological environment. As our brand ambassador in China, we are pleased to work with him in promoting public awareness on climate change through the use of new energy vehicles,” said BYD brand and public relations general manager Sherry Li.
In 1998, DiCaprio established the environmental organization, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF), which is dedicated to the long-term health and well-being of all of Earth’s inhabitants. Through collaborative partnerships, LDF supports innovative projects that build climate resiliency, protect vulnerable wildlife from extinction and restore balance to threatened ecosystems and communities. Since 1998, LDF has awarded over $61 Million to 128 different projects in 46 countries and all five oceans. In recognition of his notable efforts, DiCaprio was awarded with the title of “Messenger of Peace” by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2014.
“All over the world, people are realizing that cars that run on fossil fuels are inefficient and a major threat to the planet. I am very pleased to be joining an effort to increase the number of clean vehicles on the road in China and beyond,” said DiCaprio.
Through the partnership, DiCaprio will work closely with BYD throughout 2017 to highlight new developments and announcements regarding the company’s line of new energy vehicles.