- BYD is looking to further push its EV expansion across mainland Europe, after appointing Maria Grazia Davino as the new Regional Managing Director for Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic.
- Taking on the position from the start of December, Davino comes from her most recent role as Group Managing Director for Stellantis UK, a role which she held since 2023.
- Over her career, Davino has become a seasoned automotive executive, having held positions at several major OEMs in departments such as sales, retail, finance, and marketing, which should bode well for boosting BYD’s performance across Europe
New leadership within BYD’s European region
Davino left her position as Group Managing Director of Stellantis UK last month, with Eurig Druce, Managing Director of Peugeot UK, taking over the position. Her appointment comes at a key time for BYD in Europe. The Chinese manufacturer is set to be hit by an additional 17% tariff on EVs it sells into countries within the European Union, but that hasn’t stopped the manufacturer from reiterating its commitment to sales in Europe – as was confirmed with its significant presence at the Paris Motor Show.
The OEM is also in the process of constructing a passenger car factory in Hungary – a country within the EU, that’ll help avoid those additional tariffs. A second European factory is also being considered, to further expand its production capacity and reach, according to France24. What’s more, it is also hoping that 50% of its vehicle sales will come from outside of China by 2030 – and Europe is set to play a significant part in reaching that figure.
Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, commented:
“We are thrilled to welcome Maria Grazia to our team. Her extensive experience and visionary leadership will be pivotal as we continue to grow and innovate in the European automotive landscape.”
