2023 was a great year for Chinese manufacturer BYD (Build Your Dreams). The company not only moved into first place among New Energy Vehicle (NEV) manufacturers in China, but also holds the top position worldwide. In Austria we are pleased about 1,024 new registrations in the first year of sales. Three new models will be available in spring 2024: Dolphin, Seal and Seal U.
“No other BEV brand has ever achieved this in its first year”
Today, BYD operates in four industries: automotive, electronics, new energy and rail transport and positions itself as a multinational high-tech company. The producer has also been represented on the Austrian market since 2023. “With 1,024 new registrations, we have achieved our ambitious goal of a four-digit result. According to our data, this is a new record, as no other battery-electric brand (BEV) has achieved this in the first year,” said Danijel Dzihic, Managing Director of BYD Austria.
Last year, the company said it built a comprehensive network of dealers and workshops in Austria. The BYD vehicles will be sold, serviced and repaired by a total of 30 BYD partner companies. Dzihic says there were an incredible number of unsolicited applications from retailers, so that the crème de la crème could be selected for the partner network. The plan for 2024 is to close the gaps in Salzburg and St. Pölten so that BYD can also be represented there.
Hungary gets BYD production center
The construction of a new “state-of-the-art” car factory in Hungary was also confirmed. The manufacturing and production center is to be built in Szeged and would therefore be the first of a Chinese manufacturer in Europe. There are already two BYD plants – in Hungary and Great Britain – but these only build electric buses. The plan is to build the factory in several phases. The new BYD factory is expected to create thousands of local jobs, stimulate the local economy and support local supply chains.
These models are available in Austria
According to BYD, the strategy is to focus on “affordable electric vehicles at the price of a combustion engine”. The vehicle portfolio is now said to be broader, because until October only the “ATTO 3” model was available, and from November the first DOLPHIN models were added. Delivery of the “BYD SEAL” e-limousine, which BYD describes as sporty and extremely popular, is set to begin soon. All models are powered by the “blade battery”, which contains neither nickel, cadmium or cobalt.
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