Chinese new energy vehicle maker BYD has begun production at its first passenger car plant in Brazil, the company said on Tuesday.
The facility, located in the northeastern state of Bahia, is expected to produce up to 150,000 vehicles annually and supply markets across Latin America.
BYD said it had invested more than R$5.5 billion ($101.2 million) in the site, which spans 4.6 million square metres and is projected to create as many as 20,000 direct and indirect jobs.
“We are transforming Camaçari into a powerhouse for the future,” Alexandre Baldy, Senior VP and Commercial and Marketing Head of BYD Brazil stated.
“What we are seeing today in Bahia is a milestone in the country’s reindustrialization and a great technological leap,” Baldy added. “BYD is now a company made by Brazilians for Brazilians.”
It is the second factory that BYD opens in the South American country, as it first entered Brazil in 2015, with a commercial vehicle plant in the state of São Paulo.
Bahia state labor secretary Augusto Vasconcelos said earlier this year that BYD‘s passenger vehicle plant will be “fully functional” by December 2026.
The affirmation came as construction was temporarily halted late last year due to an investigation by the Public Labour Prosecutor’s Office (MPT).
It resulted in BYD being prosecuted by the MPT over “slavery-like” working conditions for over 200 Chinese workers in the construction site.
The first model to be manufactured in the new factory is the Seagull city compact, which has been rebranded as the Dolphin Mini in Brazil and as the Dolphin Surf for European markets. The model is priced from R$122,800 ($22,400) in the country.
Production of three models, including the battery electric (BEV) Dolphin Mini, the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Song Pro SUV and King sedan, “will begin in the following weeks.”
The King’s prices start at R$179,900 ($32,700), while the Song Pro SUV is priced from R$194,800 ($35,500).
BYD debuted the Song Plus in June — the most expensive SUV in its hybrid lineup. The entry level trim is priced from R$249,990 ($45,500). The company also sells the hybrid off-roader Shark in Brazil.
Besides the Dolphin Mini, the portfolio of the brand includes the Dolphin Plus hatchback, with prices starting at R$184,800 ($33,600).
BYD offers two electric sedans in Brazil: the Seal, which starts at R$299,800 ($54,500), and the luxury Han sedan, priced from R$559,800 ($101,900) — the most expensive model in the lineup.
It is followed by the Tang SUV, which is priced from R$536,800, equivalent to $97,700.
The portfolio includes the Yuan Pro and Yuan Plus fully electric SUVs — known as the Atto 2 and Atto 3 in Europe). Prices begin at R$182,800 ($33,300) and R$235,800 ($42,900), respectively.
The company announced in late April that the ‘BYD Shenzhen,’ previously the largest car carrier ship in the world, set sail for Brazil. It transported 7,292 hybrid and electric vehicles aimed at its South American markets.
BYD‘s ships support its ongoing global expansion. The Shenzhen-based company is currently the leading new energy vehicle (NEV) brand globally.
BYD delivered 377,628 passenger vehicles across the globe in June, from which 90,049 units were sold overseas, a new record for the seventh consecutive month.
Sales outside of China more than tripled from the 26,995 vehicles registered overseas a year before.
