Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD is transitioning its Swedish operations to direct management, ending its importer agreement with Hedin Mobility Group and assuming full responsibility for distribution and sales activities in the country. Hedin Automotive Sweden will continue as an authorised dealer during and after a brief transition period.
Both parties announced the restructuring on Monday, stating that the change reflects a shift to the “next phase of development in the Swedish market.” Effective immediately, BYD Sweden AB will oversee vehicle and spare parts distribution, replacing the role previously held by Hedin subsidiary Hedin Electric Mobility AB. A transition period of up to three months has been agreed, during which Hedin will provide temporary support to BYD.
“As a long-term partner to BYD, we have worked together to successfully introduce the brand to Swedish customers and establish a strong foundation for future growth,” said Anders Hedin, CEO and founder of the Hedin Mobility Group. “We fully support BYD in taking this next step to execute its strategy in Europe, and we are proud to continue as a retail partner in both Sweden and Germany.”
The change mirrors a similar development in Germany, where BYD ended its importer partnership with Hedin in August 2024. There, the Chinese automaker established its own sales company, BYD Automotive GmbH, and acquired Hedin Electric Mobility to take full control of distribution. The restructuring in Germany was more comprehensive, reflecting the country’s larger market size and strategic importance for EV growth.
BYD’s decision comes amid efforts to improve its performance in Europe following sluggish sales. In May 2024, the company replaced its European head, Michael Shu, with Stella Li, who is widely viewed as BYD’s second-in-command. At the time, weak registration figures—particularly in Germany—were cited as a key reason for the leadership change.
Recent months have shown signs of improvement for BYD in Europe. In April, the company surpassed Tesla in European EV registrations, indicating momentum after a slow start in the region. The transition in Sweden is seen as part of a broader strategy to strengthen BYD’s market position through direct control and a more streamlined distribution model.
