Chinese manufacturer BYD is continuing to strengthen its international presence. Following several announcements in Europe, it plans to open a factory in Turkey, according to a Turkish official source. The official announcement is expected to be made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
According to Turkish media, the agreement would involve an investment of one billion dollars. According to observers, a facility for the car manufacturer BYD in Turkey would allow it to access the European market by avoiding the taxes levied at the beginning of July by Brussels on Chinese electric vehicles.
In April, the world leader in electric cars announced its development in Europe. The first factory will start production at the end of 2025 in Hungary. The Chinese group also wants to open its first R&D and design centre on the continent.
“We will open a second factory. We are preparing to open a second, or even a third,” Stella Li, managing director of BYD Europe, told BFM Business during an event at its headquarters in Shenzhen, China.
150,000 cars manufactured in Hungary
In which country will this second factory be located? BYD did not disclose this information, but cited Germany, Italy or France.
“We are going to meet with different governments, but for now we are making sure that our first factory is up and running and that each market launches the vehicles, with the right marketing,” explains Stella Li.
BYD’s Hungarian factory It is expected to produce 150,000 cars a year in the first phase, with production starting late next year. Ultimately, it will produce 300,000 vehicles.
As for the R&D center, it should be located in Eastern Europe.
“We are working to open a design center and then we will build the equivalent of satellite teams in key markets to ensure our teams understand the needs of the local market,” Stella Li explained to us.
No date has been set for its opening. For the Chinese giant, the mission of this unit is to give “a European flavour” to the group’s cars sold in Europe.
Source: BFM TV
