BYD doubles its Brazil market share to 9.7% a year after opening its local plant

BYD’s rapid expansion in Brazil is strengthening its ambition to become a leading automaker in Latin America’s largest economy. In the year through October, it registered 193,227 vehicles in the country, more than 120% above the same period a year earlier. Its market share reached 9.7% in October, up from 4.2% the previous year, while registrations for the month climbed 137.6% to 24,114. The growth comes as the Chinese manufacturer makes Brazil a central part of its international expansion.

BYD’s Camaçari complex in Bahia has supported the push by assembling vehicles shipped from China in partially disassembled form. The facility has assembled more than 150,000 vehicles and accounts for 9,500 jobs, but it is not yet fully equipped for localized manufacturing. Welding and paint facilities are undergoing advanced operational testing, and construction of a stamping plant is well advanced; completing it would provide the remaining infrastructure for local production. BYD says it wants to lead Brazil’s automotive market by 2030, arguing that its recent sales growth demonstrates the potential to reach that goal.