GB News hosts Dawn Neesom and Sam Francis have reacted to the “terrifying” exposure by GB News Reporter Alice Tomlinson on the takeover of London’s iconic red buses by Chinese manufacturer BYD.
Detailing her report on GB News Breakfast, Alice told Dawn and Sam: “I did this investigation through an FOI request to TfL, so in 2020, there were 261 BYD buses in Londons electric vehicle bus fleet, and that has surged by 359 per cent in the last five years.
“So now as of March 2025, that stands at almost 1,200 buses. BYD, which stands for ‘Build Your Dreams’ is a Chinese manufacturer. And interestingly, they have been designated by the US as a “Chinese military company”.
“BYD rejects that designation, but what it infers is that this is a company that is now essentially kind of has fingers in lots of pies in terms of London’s transport system.”
Reacting to the report, Dawn said: “Absolutely terrifying, it’s frightening. One of the most popular e-vehicles on the road now is manufactured in China, by the Chinese, and we obviously have the mega embassy opening in London as well.”
Sam then added: “It’ll be interesting to find out whether it’s just the capital or whether there’s more widespread across the country as well, because e-vehicles are rolling out more and more and more.
“I mean, you just look around this studio, I wonder how much is probably Chinese controlled?”
Dawn concluded: “Phones, laptops, cameras, who knows?”
GB News put these exclusive findings to TfL, asking specifically whether it or its subcontracted bus operators manage these software updates and whether BYD notifies them before updates are applied.
A spokesman said: “All buses entering service in London must meet our robust technical requirements and we are committed to rigorous testing.”
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