The rise of China-based BYD has been nothing less than stratospheric in recent years, as that company has grown from essentially nothing to one of the top-selling automakers on the planet in short order. BYD isn’t even selling vehicles in a number of major markets – including the U.S. – but it’s eyeing massive growth in Europe at the moment, regardless.
According to Reuters, BYD’s aggressive European growth strategy involves doubling its sales network in 2026, in fact. «By the end of 2025, we will be present with 1,000 points of sale in Europe, and next year we’re going to double (that),» said Maria Grazia Davino, regional managing director for Europe at BYD.
«In line with successful competitors, we need to have proximity and win proximity to the European customers,» Davino added. «Localizing in a mature region like Europe is a very important project. It requires knowledge, dedication, investments, and resources at all levels.”
Currently, BYD operates in 29 European markets, and is preparing to open its very first production plant in the region, in Hungary, which will be followed by a second in Turkey and potentially a third in Spain. Meanwhile, BYD is already experiencing tremendous growth in terms of European sales – hitting 80,807 units there through September, more than tripling its results from the same period a year ago.
As for Ford, it has struggled in Europe as of late, prompting layoffs, a major restructuring, and job cuts – with more on the way. Ford CEO Jim Farley previously admitted that the company was a good quarter-century behind BYD in terms of technology not too long ago – prompting The Blue Oval to hire some fresh talent – and the exec has also stated that FoMoCo can’t match the low battery costs BYD enjoys today, either.
