- The first model produced at BYD's passenger car plant in Brazil is the Seagull, which has been renamed the Dolphin Mini locally.
- Other models, including the Song Pro and Chaser 05, will also be produced locally here.
BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY) has officially commenced production at its passenger vehicle factory in Brazil, marking a significant milestone in the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker's efforts to expand in overseas markets.
The factory is located in Camacari, Bahia State, and began production on July 1 local time, according to a statement released by BYD today.
The total investment amounts to 5.5 billion Brazilian reais ($1 billion), with the first phase targeting an annual production capacity of 150,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs).
The first model produced at the factory is the Seagull, followed by the Song Pro and Chaser 05, which will also be locally manufactured here.
The Seagull has been renamed Dolphin Mini in Brazil and Mexico. In Europe, the model has been renamed Dolphin Surf.
On June 30, BYD announced that the global cumulative sales of the Seagull had reached the milestone of one million units.
BYD and the Bahia State government jointly announced on July 4, 2023, that the company would establish a large production base complex consisting of three factories in the city of Camacari.
The industrial complex includes a factory specializing in the production of electric buses and truck chassis, a factory for the production of passenger NEVs, and a factory dedicated to the processing of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery materials.
The passenger NEV production line would be capable of producing both pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles, with an annual production capacity of 150,000 units, according to an announcement at that time.
The industrial complex was originally scheduled to begin production in the second half of 2024.
Camacari is an important industrial and economic hub in the state of Bahia, featuring a well-developed automotive supply chain and mature port logistics infrastructure, BYD said today.
The Chinese NEV manufacturer entered the Brazilian passenger vehicle market in 2021 and has accumulated sales exceeding 130,000 units to date.
In the first quarter of this year, BYD's sales in Brazil surpassed 20,000 units, making it the local NEV sales champion, according to the company.
In May, BYD rose to fourth place in Brazil's automotive brand retail sales rankings, with a market share of 9.7 percent, it said.
To date, BYD's NEVs have reached over 110 countries and regions.
In the first half of this year, BYD sold over 470,000 units overseas, representing a year-on-year increase of 132 percent, according to data released by the company yesterday.
In 2025, BYD's overseas sales are expected to exceed 800,000 units, the company announced today.
($1 = BRL 5.4587)
