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MIT Electric Buses Arrive in Paraguay – Lin Chia-lung: Taiwan-Made EVs Enter South American Market
Economic Daily News | Reported by Hsuan-Miao Yu
After over three months of ocean and river transport, the MIT electric buses—part of the Taiwan-Paraguay “Electric Bus Pilot Project”—have successfully arrived in Taiwan’s diplomatic ally, Paraguay. On April 11, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung shared on social media his appreciation to Paraguayan President Santiago Peña for personally welcoming the buses, demonstrating the strength of bilateral ties and highlighting Taiwan’s smart net-zero technologies being exported in a spirit of mutual benefit.
Lin stated that the pilot electric bus program jointly promoted by Taiwan and Paraguay will significantly improve Paraguay’s public transport system once the MIT buses begin operation. This marks the official entry of high-quality Taiwanese electric buses into the South American market and demonstrates Taiwan’s capability in exporting smart net-zero technologies, showcasing the growth and maturity of Taiwan’s EV bus industry.
Looking back, Lin noted that in response to the global trend of digital and net-zero transformation—and to support Taiwan's electric vehicle industry—he had assembled a “National Electric Bus Team” during his tenure as Minister of Transportation, setting a clear goal for exporting Taiwan-made electric vehicles worldwide.
He added that during President Peña’s 2023 visit to Taiwan, he personally experienced Taiwan’s advanced public transportation systems and praised its technological and manufacturing capabilities. This led to Taiwan donating 30 electric buses to Paraguay and jointly launching the “Electric Bus Pilot Project.” At the end of 2024, after returning from the “Prosperous South, Smart Sustainability” diplomatic mission with President Lai Ching-te, Lin promptly visited the Port of Taipei to see off the shipment of these electric buses, manufactured by Master Bus, headed to Paraguay.
Looking ahead, Lin shared that Master Bus will also set up an electric bus factory in the Taiwan-Paraguay Smart Technology Park, a joint initiative between the two countries. He welcomed more Taiwanese companies to leverage Paraguay as a strategic hub for entering the MERCOSUR, continuing to build a mutually beneficial and prosperous partnership between Taiwan and Paraguay.
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