BYD’s European Expansion Is About to Explode

Not too long ago, BYD vehicles were a rare sight on the roads of Europe. But over the past five years, the car manufacturer has grown into a global powerhouse, expanding into new markets quicker than any of its competitors. Next year, its models will become even more commonplace throughout Europe.

Read: Stellantis Dealers Are Embracing BYD And Making Things Awkward

Despite the added weight of European tariffs on Chinese-made cars, BYD has no intention of slowing down. The company views Europe as one of its key new territories and expects to reach around 1,000 retail points across the continent before the year closes. That milestone, however, is only the start of what’s planned for 2026.

How Big Will BYD Go?

At a recent event in Frankfurt, Maria Grazia Davino, BYD’s regional managing director for Europe, outlined the company’s next move. She confirmed that BYD will double its footprint in the region next year, calling the expansion essential for winning over customers in a highly competitive landscape.

“In line with successful competitors, we need to have proximity and win proximity to the European customers,” Davino said, reports Reuters.

Currently active in 29 European markets, BYD is pursuing what Davino describes as a “long-term localization strategy.” The plan centers on building more of the vehicles it sells within Europe itself, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening its ties to local economies. Key to this effort is a major new production hub in Hungary, set to open soon.

So far this year, BYD sales in Europe have more than tripled, reaching 80,807 vehicles in just the first nine months.

Even though the Hungarian site has yet to open its doors, BYD is also weighing up the possibility of building a factory in Turkey and a site in Spain.

“Localizing in a mature region like Europe is a very important project. It requires knowledge, dedication, investments, and resources at all levels,” Davino added.

Source: Reuters