BYD Rolls Out 100,000th New-Energy Vehicle from Brazil Plant

On July 16, BYD – China’s largest electric-vehicle (EV) maker – produced its 100,000th new-energy vehicle at the Camacari assembly line in Bahia, Brazil. The milestone unit was a BYD Seagull, emerging from a facility that employs more than 5,500 workers.

South China Morning Post

The Camacari complex, built over 15 months, represents an investment of roughly 5.5 billion reals (about US$1 billion) and occupies 4.68 million square metres. Its first phase targets an annual output of 150,000 vehicles, with a longer-term ambition to reach up to 600,000 units. The plant’s scale underscores BYD’s plan to use Brazil as a regional manufacturing and export hub for South America.

South China Morning Post

Stella Li, BYD’s head for the Americas, indicated that the company has already secured orders for 50,000 cars destined for Argentina and another 50,000 for Mexico, both to be shipped from Camacari. These commitments illustrate BYD’s intent to supply neighboring markets from its Brazilian base, potentially reshaping the regional EV supply chain.

South China Morning Post

Company officials have highlighted the milestone as evidence of rapid expansion amid growing governmental incentives for local EV production and job creation. European observers, noting the surge of Chinese EVs, have expressed heightened scrutiny of the competitive implications for the continent’s own automotive sector.

South China Morning Post

• “We have already received orders for 50,000 cars from Argentina and 50,000 cars from Mexico, which will be exported from the Camacari factory,” — Stella Li

South China Morning Post