05.02.2026 13:41
It has been claimed that the Chinese automotive giant BYD has abandoned its plan to invest 1 billion dollars in a factory in Turkey. Ali Suat Ertosun, the president of the Manisa Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection Association, stated that the company's investment has been halted, saying, "According to reliable sources, we are saying that this investment will not happen. We are saying that the Chinese have backed out. It was supposed to be operational in 2026. Not a single nail has been driven yet."
In the Akgedik region of Yunusemre district in Manisa, it has been noteworthy that no construction site setup, foundation excavation, or vertical construction activity has started on the giant land allocated for BYD, which covers approximately 1.6 million square meters.
1 BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT WAS TO BE MADE According to the agreement signed in 2024, the Chinese automotive giant BYD had committed to establishing an electric and rechargeable hybrid car factory and R&D center in Manisa worth 1 billion dollars, producing 150,000 vehicles annually at the facility, and providing direct employment for approximately 5,000 people. The Chinese automotive company, which announced that the factory would be completed and start production by the end of 2026, aimed to make the factory an export base particularly for the European market.
Here is the land allocated to BYD CLAIM OF CANCELLATION OF INVESTMENT A bombshell claim has emerged regarding the BYD Manisa factory project, which is seen as the largest investment move in the Turkish automotive market in recent years. It was claimed that the project, announced in July 2024 with a major launch and supported by the government's strategic incentive package, has been canceled. Ali Suat Ertosun, the President of the Manisa Cultural and Natural Heritage Protection and Environment Association, stated in his claim based on reliable sources that the Chinese giant has abandoned the facility in Manisa and that the decision is expected to be announced to the public in February or March 2026.
Ali Suat Ertosun "THIS INVESTMENT WILL NOT HAPPEN" Ertosun reminded that the political authority and some officials claimed that the investment would take place, asserting based on reliable sources and insider information that the Chinese company has abandoned its investment in Manisa, and he noted:
"The political authority and officials say that the BYD investment will happen. We say based on the information we received from reliable sources and insider news that this investment will not happen. We say that the Chinese have backed out. We think that there have been too many concessions given to the Chinese, and we have a current account deficit of 41 billion dollars with China. We believe these concessions were given in return for that. I spoke with some officials in Manisa. These are at the highest level. They say: this will not happen. In fact, what they say is: it will be announced in February or March. We are waiting for the announcement. They say it will happen. There are small activities there. But think about it, where was that? It was the most fertile agricultural area of Manisa, Karaali. It hurts one's conscience there. It was supposed to start operating in 2026. Not a single nail has been driven yet. They say 12,000 workers will work. Are they working? Is it clear how many thousands of Chinese will come? Is it clear how they will establish a colony here? And the OSB decided to build housing. Have they built housing for a single worker until today? Think of all the OSBs in Turkey. They used to build them for old public economic enterprises. It was very nice. Until today, OSBs have not built housing for a single worker. But after BYD decided to invest in Manisa, the regulation was changed in 2024. OSBs decided to build housing. They made the first application in Manisa. Now we are not doing this for the Chinese. Of course, they will say that. They can't say they are doing it for the Chinese. But Manisa is doing it, why is Antep, Antalya not doing it? Why is Sakarya not doing it? These also need to be examined."
ELECTRONIC INFRASTRUCTURE TENDER HAS ALSO BEEN CANCELED On the other hand, it was claimed in the meeting that the electronic infrastructure tender for the area where BYD will be established has also been canceled.