22.07.2025 16:55
The electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has changed its production plans in Europe. It has postponed production at its factory in Hungary until 2026, while planning to accelerate production at its factory in Manisa. Here’s the reason...
The China-based electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is preparing to accelerate its production plans in Turkey. Production at the factory, built with a $1 billion investment in the Manisa Organized Industrial Zone (OSB), is expected to start earlier than anticipated. According to Reuters, the company decided to speed up production in Turkey due to the low capacity of its facility in Hungary.
Mass production at BYD's $4.64 billion factory in Szeged, Hungary, is planned to begin in 2026. However, sources indicate that the factory will produce only a limited number of vehicles in the first year, in the tens of thousands. This figure will be significantly below the planned capacity of 150,000 units. The company is expected to increase production in 2027, but reaching full capacity may take several years.
PRODUCTION IN TURKEY IS ACCELERATING
In contrast, production at the Manisa facility in Turkey is expected to progress more rapidly. The factory, which is planned to be operational by the end of 2026 under normal conditions, will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles. However, according to sources, this target is expected to be exceeded by 2027, and production will be further increased in 2028. The low labor costs and duty-free export advantages in Turkey have led BYD to shape its production strategy in this direction. This development could disrupt the European Union's goals of creating jobs and strengthening the industry by keeping electric vehicle production within its borders. The shift of Chinese manufacturers towards markets like Turkey, which have more advantageous costs than the EU, could change the production balance in the region.
MODELS TO BE PRODUCED IN MANISA HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED
Among the models that BYD plans to produce in Turkey are the fully electric Seal U SUV, Sealion 5 (it has not been confirmed whether it will be fully electric or plug-in hybrid), along with the plug-in hybrid models Seal U Dmi and Seal 06 Dm-i.
As Turkey becomes an important production center preferred by Chinese automotive giants to enter the European market, BYD's move is being closely monitored for its impact on both the regional economy and the automotive sector.