Some time ago, we reported that BYD became the official travel partner of the 2024 European Cup, and I have many friends in the football circle, and I am also very concerned about this matter, this is the first time that the European Cup has joined hands with a new energy vehicle brand, which is a cross-milestone cooperation, and it is also the first cooperation with a Chinese car brand, which is a very milestone in China's industrial history. A few days ago, the signing ceremony between BYD and UEFA was held in Shenzhen. As the official partner of Euro 2024, BYD will work with the Euro 2024 to help green development and create a greener and more innovative world-class competition.
UEFA's visit to BYD this time can be said to be full of highlights. As a global leader in new energy vehicles, this cooperation will help accelerate the green transformation of the European Cup and create a world-class event. The representatives who visited the European Union also test-drove the Yangwang U8, Denza D9, Denza N7 and other models. This move not only won their praise, but also gave them a deeper understanding and understanding of China's development, and became an important window for Europe to spy on China.
In the first half of 2023, BYD became the first Chinese brand in China to enter the top 10 in world sales in 70 years, and officially surpassed Suzuki Group to rank ninth in global sales at the end of 2023. From the perspective of the whole year, BYD Auto sold more than 3.02 million vehicles in the whole year, winning the brand sales champion in China's auto market, the sales champion of car companies in China's auto market, the sales champion of China's auto market group, and the sales champion of the global new energy vehicle market for a second time. BYD's development for more than 30 years, is its step by step dream of the process of dreaming, which coincides with the concept of football for the dream of fighting, this cooperation can be said to be a two-way rush, the European Cup is known as the small World Cup in the world and enjoys a very large influence, and BYD is the same to complete the sales climb again and again, both at home and abroad have a good reputation, this cooperation is a veritable win-win.
At present, BYD's new energy footprint has covered six continents and more than 400 cities in more than 70 countries and regions. In the European passenger car market, BYD has entered 19 European countries with 5 models, with a total of more than 230 stores, which are deeply loved by local consumers, and the star models have been highly recognized by the authority. This year, BYD will also launch a number of models in the European market, and the Denza brand also plans to land in the European market. With its leading advantages in technology, safety, quality, and market, BYD will continue to deepen its global layout and bring better new energy products and a greener lifestyle to global users. This cooperation will further expand BYD's influence in Europe and lay a good foundation for further expansion of overseas markets.
BYD's cooperation with the European Cup can be said to be of great significance, it is an important signal for Chinese cars to go global, and it is also a confidence for Chinese automobiles to gain confidence overseas, and lay a solid foundation for Chinese automobiles to go overseas. Of course, we know that the iron still needs its own hardness, and the work of Chinese cars going to sea also needs to be down-to-earth, step by step, which requires us to continue to work hard to innovate and improve our own technology and products.