Days ago, BYD announced the first shipment of 100 all-electric BYD Tang SUVs had left the Port of Shanghai, bound for dealerships in Norway near the end of this summer, with 1,500 slated for delivery before 2022, according to a press release from the company.

This represents a substantial step for EV manufacturers in China, as BYD forges a path other companies, like Xpeng, Aiways, NIO, and SAIC’s MG intend to follow.

Norway is first on the list of European countries to receive all-electric cars from China, with BYD supplying an initial 1,500 cars before the end of 2021. This was accomplished in partnership with RSA, another company handling sales and service. “BYD has partnered the foremost Scandinavian car distributor, RSA, to deliver sales, service back-up and parts distribution, drawing on its world-class expertise and proven track record in supporting many leading automotive brands in Norway via its extensive dealer network,” read the BYD press release.

BYD’s fleet of all-electric vehicles headed for Norway features the company’s Blade Battery, which is an 86.4 kWh battery pack reported to offer a WLTP range of 249 miles (400 km), and it might have a fifth more range at lower speeds. But the WLTP City rates the BYD at 328 miles (528 km), a little higher than the NEDC’s, at 314 miles (505 km). The 7-seat SUV will sell at a starting price of $71,816 (599,900 NOK, or €59,308).

“Today is truly the start of the European dream for BYD and our passenger car ambitions,” said the BYD Managing Director Isbrand Ho. “With the new BYD Tang, we have a fantastic new SUV for the Norwegian market and one we are confident will provide a springboard into markets across Europe. The BYD Tang is an SUV which combines Chinese heritage with the flair of European design — a creative expression of Wolfgang Egger’s design team, and a car which is more than a match for the current market players.”