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.

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.

*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.