China's BYD announces the first electric vehicle factory in Brazil

Automaker will invest R$3 billion in 3 industrial plants in Camacari, Bahia, to produce cars, trucks and buses

Chinese automaker BYD announced at this third fair (July 4, 2023) the installation of 3 manufacturing plants in Camaçari, in the El Salvador (BA) metropolitan area. The announced investment is R$3 billion, with the expectation of generating 5,000 jobs.

BYD is one of the largest electric vehicle manufacturers in the world. In Bahia, the automaker must produce electric and hybrid cars. Bus chassis and electric vans will also be produced in the unit.

“We will bring innovation and high technology to the country. Our plan is to create the most advanced electric vehicle here in Bahia. Our dream is to make Bahia the center of innovation and high technology. And with this construction, we will make this facility in Bahia our center in Latin America. Our goal is to grow throughout Latin AmericaStella Lee, Global Vice President of BYD Brazil, said during the event on July 3 (4).

Watch the entire event (2 hours, 13 minutes, 40 seconds):

BYD’s factory complex in Bahia will include 3 parts production plants, vehicle assembly lines, and processing of lithium and iron phosphate.

Seven models of electric and hybrid cars will be manufactured at the facilities, with a production capacity of 150,000 vehicles annually. The models to be made in Brazil were shown during the Farol da Barra event in Salvador.

Negotiations for the Chinese automaker’s arrival in Bahia in 2022 began, with the signing of a Protocol of Intent between BYD and the Bahia government, and were consolidated this year after meetings in China and Brazil between group executives with the president. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (PT) and conservative Geronimo Rodriguez (PT).

The company must operate at Ford North American facilities in Brazil. Land purchase negotiations advanced. BYD Industrial Park is expected to start producing cars in the second half of 2024.

The Camaçari plant was used by Ford until 2021, when the US automaker announced it was ending auto production in Brazil and laying off about 4,000 workers in the region.