BYD to Invest $1 Billion in Turkey for New EV Plant

Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD has committed to building a $1 billion car manufacturing plant in Turkey. This investment aims to address the increasing demand for new energy vehicles in the region and enhance access to European consumers.

The move comes shortly after the European Union implemented provisional tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, ranging from 17.4% to 37.6%. These duties aim to curb the influx of low-cost Chinese cars, which the EU believes benefit from unfair government support. Turkey, being in a customs union with the EU, will allow vehicles produced in the new Turkish plant to be exported to the EU tariff-free.

BYD’s planned factory in Turkey will have the capacity to produce 150,000 electric and hybrid vehicles annually and will include a research and development centerfocused on sustainable mobility technologies. The factory is scheduled to begin production by the end of 2026, creating approximately 5,000 jobs in the process.

This strategic investment aligns with BYD's broader expansion goals. The company has already announced plans to build an EV factory in Hungary. The Turkish plant is expected to strengthen BYD’s presence in the European market, especially in light of the new EU tariffs on Chinese imports.

The expansion efforts highlight BYD's ambition to compete globally, particularly with rivals like Tesla. The company’s efforts to establish production bases within Europe could provide a significant competitive edge, mitigating the impact of EU tariffs and capitalizing on the growing demand for electric vehicles.