BYD Brazilian Factory Rolls Out First Vehicle, Ushering in New Era for Latin American New Energy Industry

On July 1st, BYD marked a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy as it celebrated the rollout of the first vehicle from its passenger car plant in Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil. The landmark event was attended by key dignitaries including the Governor of Bahia, Jerônimo Rodrigues, the Minister of Culture of Brazil, Margareth Menezes, Mayor of Camaçari, Luiz Carlos Caetano, BYD Executive Vice President, Stella Li, and BYD Brazil General Manager, Alex Qui.

This new facility in Brazil is not merely a cog in BYD’s global manufacturing network; it positions itself as a critical linchpin for the burgeoning new energy vehicle (NEV) market across Latin America, aiming to accelerate the region’s green transition. During his address, Governor Rodrigues lauded the occasion, stating, “The inauguration of BYD’s plant in Bahia is a testament to industrial advancement and a new chapter in Brazil-China cooperation. We are ready to embrace a greener, more innovative Brazil. This facility will undoubtedly stimulate local economic growth, create jobs, and serve as a paragon of technological transformation.”

Stella Li emphasized BYD’s commitment to bringing its cutting-edge technological prowess to Brazil. “As one of the companies with the highest R&D investment globally, BYD is injecting leading technological capabilities into Brazil. From groundbreaking to the first vehicle rollout, we’ve accomplished this in just 15 months. This is a milestone for BYD and a new starting point for sustainable transportation development in Latin America. We chose Bahia for its passionate people, skilled workforce, and transformative potential.”

The BYD Brazil passenger car plant is strategically located in Camaçari, within the Salvador metropolitan area. This city is not only a pivotal industrial and economic hub for Bahia but also boasts a robust automotive supply chain and well-developed port logistics infrastructure.

In July 2023, BYD announced plans to establish a sprawling integrated production base comprising three factories in this location, with a total investment of 5.5 billion Brazilian Reais (approximately RMB 7.1 billion). The complex will house NEV production lines for both pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, with a planned capacity of 150,000 units per year and the creation of an estimated 20,000 local jobs. Furthermore, BYD is actively forging partnerships with local supply chain players to cultivate a localized industrial collaboration model, driving the sustainable development of the new energy industry ecosystem.

Since entering the Brazilian market with its NEV passenger cars in 2021, BYD has garnered the favor of over 130,000 Brazilian households. In the first quarter of this year, BYD’s sales in Brazil surpassed 20,000 units, making it the top-selling NEV brand locally. In May, BYD climbed to the fourth position in Brazil’s automotive brand retail sales rankings, capturing a 9.7% market share.

Behind these impressive sales figures lies BYD’s strategic patience and long-term vision in the Brazilian market. Navigating a complex policy landscape and competitive market, BYD is responding to protectionist barriers through localized production and operations. Today, BYD is redefining the competitive landscape of the Latin American automotive industry with its “Made in China with Intelligence” approach, serving as a model for Chinese NEV companies transitioning from product export to ecosystem co-creation.

In recent years, BYD has actively pursued a global industrial footprint. To date, its NEV presence spans six continents, reaching over 110 countries and regions worldwide. In the first half of this year, BYD’s overseas sales exceeded 470,000 units, marking a substantial year-on-year increase of 132%. Projections indicate that full-year overseas sales for 2025 will surpass 800,000 units.

Looking ahead, BYD remains committed to its integrated international and localized development strategy, aiming to bring the benefits of Chinese brands to global consumers and contribute to the automotive industry’s green transformation.