BYD, the automotive giant, is making big moves in Europe, not just by selling cars but by truly putting down roots. The company recently chose an Austrian firm, voestalpine, to supply steel for its first European car factory. This move signals BYD’s deep commitment to building cars “in Europe, for Europe.”
The new BYD car plant in Szeged, Hungary, is set to begin production by late 2025. It’s a major step for the Chinese manufacturer. The agreement, announced in Vienna, means voestalpine will send rolled steel from its Linz factory. This steel will become the car bodies and outer panels for BYD vehicles.
Choosing a European supplier like voestalpine makes a lot of sense for BYD. For one, the geographic closeness helps with logistics. Also, Austrian steel is known for its high quality, a reputation that certainly played a role. This decision fits right into BYD’s bigger plan for local production.
BYD’s European Vision Takes Shape
The Hungarian factory is just one piece of BYD’s ambitious European strategy. The company is also setting up its European headquarters and a research and development center in Budapest. This shows how serious BYD is about its long-term presence in the European market.
Stella Li, BYD’s Executive Vice President, made it clear: “This agreement shows we came to Europe to stay.” She aims for BYD to be seen as a European carmaker within the next five years. Every local supplier partnership brings them closer to that goal, according to a report by Reuters.
Beyond just building cars, BYD is also bringing new energy tech to Europe. Austria will be the first market to get BYD’s Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) system. This smart feature lets electric car owners use their car’s battery to power their homes.
This V2H project will kick off in early 2026, working with a local Austrian partner. It makes perfect sense in Austria, where many homes already use solar power. Around the same time, BYD’s super-fast Hyperchargers will arrive in Europe. These powerful 1000 kW chargers can add 400 km of range to an electric car in just five minutes. It’s clear BYD is looking to build a full ecosystem, from how cars are made to how they connect with our homes and energy grids.