- BYD’s planned Hungary factory, which will mark the first BYD EVs to be produced both within Europe and the European Union, will begin producing EVs at the facility from late 2025.
- The news was uncovered in an interview between BYD chief, Stella Li, and German business publication, Capital.
- The facility will help BYD to avoid prohibitive EU import tariffs against electric vehicles made in China.
BYD’s Hungary EV factory to go live next year
The first two electric cars set to be built at the facility are BYD’s ID.3 rival, the Dolphin, and its Atto 3 compact SUV. Li further told capital that it would take ‘two to three years’ to ramp up production capacity at the Hungary plant to maximum levels. Models such as the BYD Seal would be produced in Hungary at a later date. At full capacity, the plant will reportedly produce 12 specific models – preventing BYD from needing to import any cars from China to the EU whatsoever.
This two to three year gap before full capacity is reached is still significant, and it remains to be seen how much of a hit BYD is willing to take on import tariffs in the meantime. After all, BYD has continued to expand within the EU despite these tariffs – from appointing new senior positions, to its significant presence at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year. It also plans for 50% of its car sales to come from outside of China, by 2030 – with both Europe and the EU likely to play a significant part in this figure.
Li also reaffirmed the BYD Seagull’s future arrival in Europe, but didn’t go as far as a specific date for a launch. In its home territory of China, the Dolphin costs the equivalent of just £8,000, which could prove it a popular choice over here.
