BYD Hosts Ceremony at New Auto Plant in Brazil as Import Duties Rise
BYD, the Chinese multinational electric vehicle manufacturer, will host a ceremony at its new auto plant in Camaçari, Bahia, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion into the Brazilian market. The event comes as import duties for fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are set to rise, with BYD requesting a reduced 10% rate for semi-knocked-down (SKD) vehicles. The company has invested R$5.5 billion in the project, with R$1.4 billion already spent on the initial phase.
Key Takeaways:
- BYD's new auto plant in Camaçari, Bahia, will initially produce two models: the Dolphin Mini fully electric car and the Song Plus plug-in hybrid SUV.
- The company has 870 workers on site and plans to announce 3,000 new jobs at the ceremony.
- BYD sold 77,000 vehicles in Brazil in 2024 and has reached 47,000 so far this year.
- The goal is to produce at least 50,000 units in Camaçari in 2025 and 150,000 by 2026.
- BYD has invited the federal government to lower import duties for SKD vehicles, with the company requesting a reduced 10% rate.
- The company has already installed robots and machinery at the plant, awaiting the arrival of vehicles shipped from China in SKD format.
- BYD will outline its local content strategy at the event, aiming to attract local suppliers in Brazil.
Statistics:
- BYD's investment in the project: R$5.5 billion
- Amount spent on the initial phase: R$1.4 billion
- Number of workers on site: 870
- New jobs to be announced: 3,000
- Number of vehicles expected to be produced in Camaçari in 2025: at least 50,000
- Number of vehicles expected to be produced in Camaçari in 2026: 150,000
- Import duties for fully electric vehicles: 25% (previously 18%)
- Import duties for plug-in hybrids: 28% (previously 20%)
- Number of vehicles sold in Brazil in 2024: 77,000
Sources:
- "BYD Wins Petrobras Contract for Electric Vehicle Charging", Chain Business Media, April 2023 ( cited in the original article)
- "BYD's New Auto Plant in Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil", Vehicle Tips, September 2024