While Tesla courts Mexico, Chinese BYD, the world’s largest maker of electric vehicles (eVs), plans to build a new production facility in Bahia, Brazil.
The company will commence the installation process for its factory in Camaçari, located in the metropolitan region of Salvador, starting next week.
Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues announced BYD’s arrival in Bahia after a meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Chief of Staff Minister Rui Costa, and BYD’s Global Vice President Stella Li at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia on Wednesday, the 28th.
Governor Rodrigues did not mention the specific number of direct and indirect jobs that will be created as a result of BYD’s plant installation.
The company will utilize the facility previously occupied by Ford in Camaçari. However, Ford announced in January 2021 that it would no longer manufacture cars in Brazil.
BYD, founded in 2002, is known for manufacturing passenger cars, trucks, and buses. In addition to conventional vehicles, the company has invested in electric models, as announced through their Brazilian division’s Instagram page.
BYD Auto overtook Tesla in June 2022 as the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, announcing it had sold about 641,000 EV’s (including PHEVS) in the first half of 2022.