BYD is in talks with Stellantis and several other European carmakers about taking over underused factories, as the Chinese electric vehicle giant looks for faster ways to expand manufacturing in the region.
According to comments from Executive Vice President Stella Li at the Financial Times Future of the Car conference in London, the company is assessing sites in countries including Italy as part of a wider search for available capacity in Europe.
Li indicated that BYD would rather control any acquired facility itself than enter into a manufacturing joint venture, reflecting the group’s preference for keeping production decisions in house.
Her message was straightforward: BYD is open to working with rivals on batteries and selected technologies, but it sees factory ownership and day to day operations as areas where it wants full control.
The approach stands in contrast to Stellantis’ recent decision to deepen its partnership with Chinese EV maker Leapmotor. The two companies said this month they intend to expand production in Spain, adding a new Opel electric C-SUV alongside Leapmotor’s B10 and considering a broader role for their Madrid operations.
BYD’s interest in existing plants comes as demand for electric cars in Europe has strengthened again, helped by higher fuel costs and a broader consumer shift towards lower running costs. The company has also been accelerating its overseas push after intense price competition in China squeezed margins at home.
Local production is already a key part of BYD’s European strategy. The group has begun trial production at its Hungarian facility and is working towards opening a plant in Turkey by the end of 2026, moves that would give it a stronger industrial base as it tries to win market share across the continent. Stellantis declined to comment on the reported talks.
BYD did not immediately comment publicly on the discussions. If any agreement is reached, it would underline how quickly Chinese EV manufacturers are moving from exporting cars to building a deeper manufacturing presence inside Europe.
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the automotive industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the South African motor sector forward.
