Chinese landing in Europe has begun, 200,000 new cars

At the IAA Mobility trade fair in September, BYD confirmed plans to start production in Hungary by the end of 2025. However, BYD has since been forced to postpone its initial plans. The factory is built on 300 hectares of land, parts of which had to be purchased from multiple private owners, and the process took longer due to several legal disputes.

After several weeks of delay, production finally began, at least in the initial phase, at the end of January. Full-scale serial production is expected to begin in the second quarter.

Szeged Mayor László Botka announced the start of production yesterday. According to him, production at the plant will increase to a planned capacity of 200,000 vehicles per year over several years, in parallel with a gradual increase in employment. The plant currently employs 960 workers, mainly local, but also Asian guest workers, according to the Hungarian Conservative Party.

The first model to roll off the production line in Hungary is expected to be the Dolphin Surf – an electric car that will lead BYD's European-made vehicles for Europe, the company said.

Hungary has been chosen by the Chinese manufacturer as its gateway to Europe. Since 2017, BYD has been producing battery electric buses for the European market in Komárom, and in addition, the company operates battery assembly plants in Fót and Páty. But most importantly, BYD moved its European headquarters from the Netherlands to Budapest in 2025. The headquarters is also accompanied by a research and development center.

BYD's second European car factory will open in Turkey later this year, and thanks to the customs union, electric vehicles produced there, as well as those from Hungary, will be exempt from special EU tariffs.

Also, according to internal reports, BYD is already considering a third passenger car factory in Europe – reportedly in Spain.Indeksonline/