BYD pauses Turkey EV plant, seeks existing factory in Southern Europe

Chinese electric‑vehicle maker BYD has put the construction of its passenger‑car assembly plant in Manisa, Turkey on hold, with Deputy CEO Stella Li saying there is no timeline for the project. The company is now concentrating on finding a second production facility within the European Union and has indicated a preference for acquiring an existing plant rather than building a new one.

Spain has emerged as a leading candidate for the takeover, alongside other Southern‑European locations, as BYD aims to comply with upcoming EU “Made in Europe” rules that demand high local content. BYD already operates battery‑electric bus production in Hungary and battery‑assembly plants in the country, which remain its top priority while the search for an additional EU site proceeds.

No specific plant has been identified yet, and BYD has not confirmed negotiations with any Spanish manufacturer. The shift reflects the firm’s strategy to accelerate European manufacturing and avoid delays associated with new‑build facilities.