On July 1 local time, BYD held an official rollout ceremony for the first passenger vehicle produced at its factory in Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil. This milestone marks a new phase in BYD's global expansion strategy.
The BYD Brazil passenger car factory is located in Camaçari, part of the Salvador metropolitan area. The city serves as a key industrial and economic hub in Bahia state and benefits from a well-developed automotive supply chain and port logistics infrastructure. The facility not only plays a critical role in BYD's international layout but also serves as a strategic springboard for penetrating the Latin American new energy vehicle (NEV) market.
"BYD's new factory in Bahia is not just a symbol of industrial progress-it marks a new chapter in Brazil-China cooperation. We are ready to embrace a greener, more innovative Brazil," said Bahia Governor Jerônimo in his speech. "This factory will drive local economic development, create jobs, and serve as a model for technological transformation."
At the ceremony, BYD Executive Vice President Li Ke stated: "As one of the world's leading companies in R&D investment, BYD is bringing its advanced technological capabilities to Brazil. From breaking ground to rolling out the first car, we achieved this in just 15 months. This is a milestone for BYD and a fresh starting point for sustainable transportation in Latin America. We chose Bahia because of its passionate people, experienced workforce, and transformative potential."
In July 2023, BYD announced plans to build a major production complex in Camaçari, consisting of three factories, with a total investment of 5.5 billion Brazilian reals (approximately 7.1 billion RMB). The new energy vehicle plant will produce both battery electric and plug-in hybrid models, with a planned annual capacity of 150,000 units. It is expected to create 20,000 jobs locally. In addition, BYD will collaborate with local supply chain partners to develop a localized and sustainable NEV industrial ecosystem.
Since entering the Brazilian NEV market in 2021, BYD has won the trust of over 130,000 Brazilian families. In the first quarter of this year, BYD sold over 20,000 vehicles in Brazil, becoming the country's top-selling NEV brand. In May, BYD rose to fourth place in retail sales among all auto brands in Brazil, capturing a market share of 9.7%.
To date, BYD's global presence spans six continents and over 110 countries and regions. In the first half of this year, BYD's overseas sales exceeded 470,000 units, a 132% year-on-year increase. The company expects to sell over 800,000 vehicles overseas in 2025.
