Is BYD preparing to approach the European electric truck market?
In fall 2023, Hungarian logistics company Waberer's tested a BYD medium truck with 19 tons GVW. It was an electric truck, engaged mainly in an urban context in Budapest. And Hungary is the country where BYD decided to build their second European factory.
Photo credits: Einride
Trucks from Chinese giant BYD may soon be coming to Europe. In fact, the Asian manufacturer, which is rivaling Tesla in the electric car sector and posting amazing growth rates, both in China and abroad, already has a range of trucks that are currently marketed in the domestic market and in other markets outside Europe. One fresh example is the largest ever order of BYD e-trucks outside Asia made by Swedish specialist Einride.
BYD trucks: possible European base in Hungary
Some recent moves by BYD, however, would hint at a willingness to soon begin exporting trucks to Europe as well, following the example of another big Chinese automotive name, Foton, which came to Europe last year. In fall 2023, Hungarian logistics company Waberer’s tested a BYD medium truck with 19 tons GVW. It was an electric truck, engaged mainly in an urban context in Budapest.
And it was in Hungary that BYD announced the imminent construction of a new production site dedicated to the European market, following the one where the Chinese brand’s buses are currently assembled. The Szeged plant will at first be dedicated to the production of batteries and, of course, electric cars, BYD’s main business. However, it could soon become an important outpost for industrial vehicles, in an industry that will soon be profoundly changed by the push for electrification.