The Financial Post reports in its Friday, April 10, edition that BYD Co. is opening 20 sales locations with partners in Canada this year as the country's government is considering Chinese auto-industry investments to reduce dependence on the United States. A Bloomberg dispatch to the Post reports that Alfredo Altavilla, a former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles manager who now advises BYD in Europe, said in an interview in Paris: "The overture of Canada is a very important one. We immediately took action to establish a sales network there." Canada has been courting Chinese investments to bolster its car industry amid a broader trade deal with Beijing. In January, the government agreed to allow in as many as 49,000 Chinese-built electric vehicles a year, after previously keeping them out with high tariffs. Last month, BYD said it is actively considering building a factory in Canada, while also keeping its options open to acquire a more established global automaker. The company has also been expanding in Europe, where it is among a range of Chinese brands increasing sales with affordable electric and plug-in hybrid models.