The first shipment of production line equipment for BYD’s new plant in Szeged, Hungary, arrived on December 9, marking a key milestone ahead of the factory’s planned start of operations.
According to local reports, the facility is set to begin trial production in the first quarter of 2026, with full-scale manufacturing scheduled to commence in the second quarter.
BYD first announced plans to build a European assembly site in December 2023, aiming to mitigate additional tariffs on electric vehicles and strengthen its market competitiveness.
In January 2024, the company signed a land pre-purchase agreement for the site, and by September 2025, BYD confirmed that construction progress was in line with its expectations.
A specialized Chinese source released video footage showing the delivery of the initial set of manufacturing equipment at the Szeged plant. Earlier statements from BYD indicated that production might begin by late 2025; however, some industry reports suggested the launch would be delayed until 2026. The new facility is also expected to operate below its full capacity during its first two years of operation.
The factory will initially assemble the Dolphin Mini electric hatchback, which is known by various names in different markets. Over time, other models slated for local assembly include the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal, and the Seal U. Once fully operational, the plant is projected to have an annual production capacity of up to 300,000 vehicles.
By establishing manufacturing in Hungary, BYD will be better positioned to avoid an additional 17% tariff imposed by the European Union on imported electric vehicles, on top of the standard 10% customs duty. This move aligns with broader industry efforts to localize production and address trade barriers in key markets.
Source: CarNewsChina
