Photo: BYD

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD marked a significant milestone in its international expansion as its 14 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV) rolled off the production line at its Camaçari passenger vehicle plant in Bahia, Brazil, on October 9, 2025. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attended the inauguration ceremony and became the registered owner of the vehicle.
 
BYD has operated in Brazil for over 11 years, with its electric buses widely deployed across the country. The company has more than 170,000 owners in Brazil and has led the nation's NEV market for two consecutive years, as noted by BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu during his speech at the inauguration.
 
The Camaçari facility officially began production on July 1, 2025. Built on the site of a former Ford plant, it represents an investment of 5.5 billion reais (approximately $1 billion). Phase one aims for an annual production of 150,000 NEVs, with plans to expand to 300,000 units per year in subsequent phases.
 
In recognition of BYD's local presence, the road in front of the plant has been renamed "BYD Road," making it the third overseas street to bear the company's name, following locations in Lancaster, USA, and Rayong, Thailand.
 
This milestone underscores BYD's strategy of combining global growth with local integration as the company continues to expand its footprint in Latin America while supporting Brazil's transition to green mobility.
 
Reporter: Zeng Xiangxing

Editor: Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He