BYD expands as Chinese EVs hit 15%

Chinese carmakers increased their share of Europe’s electric-vehicle market in April despite European Union tariffs aimed at curbing imports from China. Chinese brands accounted for more than 15% of combined battery-electric and plug-in hybrid sales in Europe last month, according to reports citing Dataforce data. BYD, MG and Chery were among the brands driving the gain. BYD is also expanding production inside Europe, adding local capacity as it builds out its regional footprint. ### How big was the gain in April? Dataforce figures cited by Bloomberg and other reports showed Chinese brands sold 38,281 battery-electric vehicles in Europe in April, more than double the level a year earlier. Bloomberg said that pushed Chinese automakers above 15% of Europe’s EV sales for the first time. Yahoo Finance reported that Chinese manufacturers captured more than 15% of combined EV and plug-in hybrid sales in the month. (finance.yahoo.com) Britain was a leading market in the April figures, according to The Next Web’s report on the Dataforce data. The report said BYD and Chery helped drive the increase as Chinese brands widened their presence across European markets. ### Which companies are driving the expansion? BYD, SAIC’s MG and Chery were named in multiple reports as the main Chinese brands gaining share in Europe. (bloomberg.com) Bloomberg cited BYD and Chery among the makers whose battery-electric sales rose in April, while Yahoo Finance said BYD, MG and Chery together accounted for the record share in EV and plug-in hybrid sales. (thenextweb.com) BYD has also been pushing into higher-priced segments. Yahoo Finance said the company is adding local production capacity in Europe, and other reports have described the company’s use of its Denza brand to target premium buyers. ### Why have tariffs not stopped the rise? The European Union imposed additional duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles, but Chinese brands have kept gaining ground on price and model mix, according to the reports. (bloomberg.com) Yahoo Finance said the latest market-share gain raised questions about the effectiveness of tariffs as Chinese manufacturers combined lower prices with local factory plans and supply links. (finance.yahoo.com) The Financial Times reported that western carmakers are also using Chinese manufacturing capacity to build lower-cost vehicles for export, underscoring how closely Europe’s industry remains tied to China’s production base. That supply-chain overlap has complicated Europe’s effort to limit Chinese competition through tariffs alone, according to the FT report. (finance.yahoo.com) ### What is BYD building in Europe? Hungary is central to BYD’s European manufacturing plan. Electrive reported that BYD began trial passenger-car production at its Szeged plant in late January, with full series production expected in the second quarter of 2026. Turkey is the company’s second major project in the region. (ft.com) Turkey’s investment agency said in July 2024 that BYD signed a $1 billion agreement for a plant in Manisa, and later reports said completion was expected by the end of 2026. ### Is BYD looking beyond its own factories? (electrive.com) May 13 brought another sign of BYD’s ambitions in Europe. Reuters and Bloomberg reported that BYD was in talks with Stellantis and other automakers about taking over underused factories in the region, citing BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li. Bloomberg said countries such as Italy were among the possible locations under discussion. (invest.gov.tr) Stella Li’s comments added to a broader push that already includes BYD’s Hungary plant and its Turkey investment. Full-scale output at Szeged is expected in the second quarter of 2026, while Turkey’s Manisa project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, according to those reports. (electrive.com) (msn.com)