BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle giant, is in active discussions with Stellantis NV and other European automakers to acquire underutilized car manufacturing facilities across the continent. Executive Vice President Stella Li confirmed the scope of these talks, noting, ‘We are talking to not only Stellantis, we’re talking to other companies too.’
The negotiations mark a bold step in BYD’s strategy to deepen its presence in Europe, with potential deals targeting plants in countries like Italy. Unlike past collaborations, the company is prioritizing full operational control over these facilities, steering clear of joint venture arrangements. This approach underscores BYD’s intent to leverage existing infrastructure to rapidly scale production capacity outside its home market.
Already, BYD has made significant inroads in the region. The company recently began trial production at a new passenger car factory in Hungary, while plans for a production base in Turkey were unveiled previously. These moves complement BYD’s broader ambition to tap into Europe’s growing demand for electric vehicles, highlighted by the launch of its premium sub-brand Denza in Paris last month. Models such as the Denza Z9GT and Denza D9 were showcased, signaling the company’s push into higher-end market segments.
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Driving this expansion is an aggressive sales target of 1.5 million units overseas by 2026. Management has expressed strong confidence in hitting this milestone, viewing Europe as a critical piece of the puzzle. The acquisition of additional plants could provide the necessary production muscle to meet this goal, especially as BYD seeks to capitalize on spare capacity in a region where some legacy automakers face declining output.
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