BYD has officially started the construction of its production base complex in Bahia, Brazil, according to a report today from local media outlet Jiemian.
BYD has reportedly paid the Bahia state government 287.8 million reais ($58 million) for a total of 4.6 million square meters of plant space.
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The complex, located at the former Ford Brazil plant, will be built from scratch, with old facilities repurposed for suppliers to produce new car parts.
In the first phase, BYD plans to construct 26 new facilities, including production warehouses and a test track, covering about 1 million square meters.
The complex is slated to be operational by the end of 2024 to early 2025, with an initial annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles. Initial models to be produced include the BYD Dolphin, Song Plus, Yuan Plus, and Dolphin Mini.
The Bahia state government and BYD have confirmed the projected timeline and production details. In October 2022, BYD signed a letter of intent with the Bahia state government to establish the automotive production facility in the industrial area left by Ford’s closure.
The complex is part of BYD’s broader strategy to expand its global footprint and strengthen its presence in the growing Latin American market.
