Chinese BYD to Build Hungarian EV Factory

Click for more NEVs.

BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles (NEVs)* in communist China, said today that the next step of its European strategy will be the construction of a new manufacturing and production center in Szeged, Hungary. The factory will be the first of its kind built by a Chinese automotive company in Europe. The factory will be built in phases and is projected to create thousands of local jobs, boost the local economy and support local supply chains. BYD will also apply its expertise in integrated vertical supply chains to help create a green ‘ecosystem’ locally.

Hungary is an essential transportation hub and has a rich history of expertise in the automotive industry, according to BYD. With a mature infrastructure and a well-established industrial foundation, Hungary has been chosen by several premium European manufacturers as a production location for passenger cars. “This further supports BYD’s decision to make Hungary the center of European production operations,” the company said. However, there is an ongoing dispute about whether Hungary can maintain its status as an EU member, which could hurt BYD’s plans to have 10% of the market.

The BYD brand is launching its passenger car operations in Europe. Within the first year, the company has established 230 retailer stores across 19 countries, introduced five new models (BYD HAN, BYD TANG, BYD ATTO 3, BYD SEAL, and BYD DOLPHIN), in the C to E segments, including hatchbacks, sedans, and SUVs. Additionally, three new models are planned to be launched within the next 12 months.

“Driven by its global brand vision to Cool the Earth by 1°C, BYD aims to accelerate the pace of new energy passenger vehicle penetration into the European market, further deepen its globalization strategy, and actively promote the green transformation of the global energy structure,” the company said.

*Under Chinese government mandates NEVs include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). The NEV regulation is designed to substantially increase new energy vehicle production with flexibility in China’s existing fuel consumption regulation via technology-based credits. The regulation appears to have been inspired by California’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) program. However, it links a manufacturers’ corporate average fuel consumption (CAFC) performance with a NEV credit. On 1 January 2021, the regulation entered its second phase, as part of what will be progressively tighter standards.

AutoInformed on

• BYD builds its 5 millionth EV in China
• BYD Toyota EV Technology Company Debuts bZ3 EV in China
• Chinese BYD, Toyota Agree to Develop Battery Electric Vehicles
• BYD has New Grid Linked Energy Generation/Storage Gear
• Windsor, Canada to Buy Chinese BYD Electric Buses
• BYD Electric Cab Fire and Three Fatalities not Battery’s Fault