09.05.2025 10:10
Chinese car manufacturer BYD has changed its plans for the automotive factory it intends to establish in Turkey. Previously, BYD stated that it would only produce electric models at the factory to be built in Manisa, but it has now decided to also produce hybrid models at this facility.
China's automotive giant BYD has revised its production plans, taking into account the dynamic demands of the European market. The company, which has decided to produce not only electric but also plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles at its new factory planned to be established in Turkey, is strategically responding to the rising hybrid demand in Europe.
EUROPEAN DEMAND CHANGED THE GAME PLAN
Initially aiming to position Turkey and Hungary solely as production bases for electric vehicles, BYD quickly revised this plan. Following an important meeting in February in Turin, Italy, attended by 400 suppliers, BYD announced that it would also include the assembly of hybrid models at its production facilities in both countries. The fundamental reason behind this change: the rapidly increasing demand for hybrid vehicles in Europe.
HYBRID SALES SOARED: BYD UPDATED ITS COURSE
In the first quarter of 2024, BYD's sales in Europe quadrupled compared to the previous year. Moreover, 38% of these sales were hybrid models. This dramatic increase has made it necessary for the company to allocate more space for hybrid models in its production strategy. BYD aims to launch hybrid versions of all models it offers in Europe by mid-2026.
MANISA PREPARING TO BECOME A HYBRID PRODUCTION HUB
Turkey will play a critical role in BYD's new roadmap in Europe. The giant factory being built in Manisa, with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles, will start production in March 2026. With an investment cost of approximately 1 billion euros, the facility will serve not only as a production site but also as an innovation hub. BYD plans to establish an R&D center in Manisa as well. This step could transform Turkey into a regional center for not only production but also technology development.
COMMENT: THE CHINESE GIANT HAS ITS FINGER ON EUROPE'S PULSE
BYD's strategic transformation indicates a shift from a one-sided electrification approach in the European automotive market to a more flexible model. Especially in markets where the energy infrastructure has not yet developed equally, hybrid vehicles stand out as the most rational solution during the transition period. Turkey, on the other hand, has the potential to become not only a producer but also a player that offers technology to the European market in this transformation.