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Chelsea Yang

BYD has rolled out its 100,000th new-energy vehicle from its Brazilian assembly line, underscoring the growth potential for Chinese products in South America, just as electric cars fuel fresh tension in Europe.
China’s largest electric vehicle (EV) producer reached the landmark on July 16, reflecting BYD’s rapid expansion as governments increasingly push for local manufacturing and job creation.
The milestone vehicle was a BYD Seagull, which came off the line at the Camacari plant, which has more than 5,500 workers in the northeastern state of Bahia.
The figures highlight rapid output and rising local employment as BYD builds Brazil into a regional manufacturing and export hub.
“We have already received orders for 50,000 cars from Argentina and 50,000 cars from Mexico, which will be exported from the Camacari factory,” said Stella Li, BYD’s head for the Americas, in a report by Reuters last week.
The Camacari complex, which took 15 months to build, marked an investment of about 5.5 billion reals (US$1 billion) and spanned 4.68 million square metres, according to publicly available information. Its first phase targeted annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, with a longer-term goal of up to 600,000 units.
BYD aimed to source or manufacture more than half of its vehicle components locally by 2027, deepening its Brazilian supply chain and reducing reliance on imported parts. The plant was also expected to serve markets beyond Brazil.
In Europe, EV trade remains a flashpoint in relations with China.
Dirk Panter, economy minister of the eastern German state of Saxony, told German media Bild on July 16 that the European Union should consider higher tariffs on Chinese cars to encourage partnerships with European manufacturers such as Volkswagen.
“We will not keep Chinese manufacturers out of Europe,” Panter was quoted as saying. “Anyone who wants access to our market must also take responsibility for value creation and employment in Europe.”
China produced 7.44 million new-energy vehicles in the first half of 2026, while exports more than doubled to 2.36 million units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.


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BYD hits 100,000 EVs in South American country, but calls grow in Europe for higher tariffs on Chinese products to shield local industry


BYD hits 100,000 EVs in South American country, but calls grow in Europe for higher tariffs on Chinese products to shield local industry.


As BYD marks Brazil milestone, Europe weighs response to surge in Chinese EVs

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}BYD hits 100,000 EVs in South American country, but calls grow in Europe for higher tariffs on Chinese products to shield local industry

BYD hits 100,000 EVs in South American country, but calls grow in Europe for higher tariffs on Chinese products to shield local industry