Chinese automakers open factories abroad as export clout causes friction
Chinese automakers seeking global growth are building more car factories in overseas markets, as foreign regulators mull imposing measures against imports of China-made electric cars. Chery Auto is holding talks with the Italian government to manufacture there, Reuters reported on Wednesday. Should the talks succeed, Chery would be among the first Chinese automakers with a European manufacturing presence.
The growing clout of China car exports has been causing friction with the U.S. and Europe.
Here's what Chinese automakers are planning:
BYD
The world's largest EV maker has been building car factories in Thailand, Brazil, Hungary and Uzbekistan.
BYD started production at the Uzbekistan plant in January with a Song Plus hybrid crossover. The factory has a planned annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles. Under a partnership with Thai industrial developer WHA Group, BYD will produce 150,000 EVs per year in Thailand and its local plant is expected to start operation later this year. Its Brazil manufacturing complex is expected to start operations by year-end, or in early 2025, with an estimated annual production capacity of 150,000 units in the first phase. BYD announced its Hungarian plant producing EVs and plug-in hybrids in December, saying it would create thousands of local jobs, boost the local economy and support local supply chains. It didn't say when production could start. BYD also said it is looking for a location in Mexico for a factory with production capacity of 150,000 cars annually for local
