Chinese automaker BYD is in discussions with Stellantis and other European carmakers to acquire underutilized manufacturing facilities in the region. According to Stella Li, BYD’s executive vice president, the company is exploring opportunities to take over idle plants in countries including Italy. These talks were disclosed during the Financial Times Future of the Car conference in London, with Bloomberg reporting on Li’s comments.
BYD is evaluating available capacity across Europe and prefers to run any acquired plants independently rather than entering joint ventures. “We are talking to not only Stellantis, we’re talking to other companies too,” Li said, noting the firm’s interest in leveraging existing factory infrastructure to accelerate its overseas expansion.
This initiative comes amid Stellantis’ recent partnership with Leapmotor, under which the two automakers will install a new production line at the Zaragoza plant in Spain for an Opel electric SUV and Leapmotor’s B10 model. As part of that agreement, Stellantis will transfer its Villaverde facility in Madrid to Leapmotor’s Spanish subsidiary for the production of future models.
Domestic price pressures have driven several Chinese automakers to expand abroad, while rising fuel costs following geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have renewed consumer interest in electric vehicles. Geely Auto, for instance, is reportedly acquiring Ford’s assembly line in Spain to bolster its European EV output.
BYD has already established a passenger car factory in Hungary, where trial production is underway, and has announced plans for a manufacturing base in Turkey. Last month, the company introduced its premium sub-brand Denza in Paris, showcasing ultra-fast charging technology and launching the Denza Z9GT and D9 models in Europe.
Source: CNEV Post
