BYD suspends $1 B Turkish plant as Hungarian factory faces soil probe and worker fatality

Chinese electric‑vehicle maker BYD announced that it has put on hold its planned $1 billion manufacturing complex in Manisa, Turkey, redirecting resources to its first European factory in Szeged, Hungary. The Turkish pause follows criticism and a shift of strategic focus to the Hungarian site, which is under police investigation for alleged illegal transfer of contaminated soil. BYD denied the environmental accusations, stating that the claims are false and that legal counsel has been engaged. Hungarian authorities fined the company 10 million forints and continue to examine the soil‑handling practices.

In addition, a Chinese worker was killed on the Szeged construction site after being struck by a truck, marking the second fatal accident at the plant in four months. BYD expressed “deep shock,” offered condolences, and said it is cooperating fully with the investigation. The company also indicated it is scouting locations for a second European production facility, with discussions underway in Serbia and elsewhere.

The combined developments affect BYD’s European expansion, a $1 billion Turkish investment, and raise scrutiny over labour and environmental standards at its Hungarian project.