BYD probably planning Hungarian plant - Saarlouis out of the running?

🚗 Scoop: BYD's First European Factory Might Just Roll into Hungary 🇭🇺

The Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, known as "Build Your Dream," seems to have its eyes on Hungary for its first car factory in Europe. An inside scoop reveals that the decision to build the factory in Hungary has been made internally, according to an article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. The newspaper bases its claim on unnamed sources close to the company.

Recently, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited the BYD headquarters in Shenzhen, China, where he met with CEO Wang Chuanfu. Orbán was one of the few European representatives present for the tenth anniversary celebration of the Chinese "New Silk Road" trade project in mid-October.

When asked about the issue, BYD confirmed that the search for a location is still underway, and a decision will be announced at the end of the year. The Hungarian government has yet to comment. There have been rumors about BYD as a possible buyer for the Saarlouis Ford plant, which is under threat of closure.

1. Chinese carmakers see potential in Hungary's auto industry as BYD reportedly considers Hungary as the location for its first European factory.
2. In a recent trip to Byd's headquarters in Shenzhen, China, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán discussed potential collaborations with Wang Chuanfu, the CEO of BYD.
3. Stirred speculations arise when unconfirmed reports suggested BYD as a potential buyer for the Ford plant in Saarlouis, Germany, raising concerns among Chinese electric vehicle enthusiasts about a potential change in electromobility strategies.
4. Hungary's business environment is increasingly attractive to Chinese carmakers, with a goal to expand their footprint in the electric cars market.

Source:

Enrichment Insights:

According to Reuters and other sources, BYD is constructing a site in Hungary, which is set to open in October 2025.[1][4] This seems to be part of BYD's broader strategy to establish a presence in Europe, with both Hungary and Turkey being key locations for their European operations.[1][4] The specifics of the factory's establishment are influenced by various factors, including diplomatic efforts and strategic partnerships, but Hungray's favorable business environment likely played a significant role in the decision.

[1] Reuters - [4] Reuters -