Prime Minister Viktor Orbán held talks with Wang Chuanfu, the founder and chairman of the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacture BYD in Shenzhen on Thursday. In the BYD car factory, the Hungarian Prime Minister was briefed on the company’s structure and its activities in Hungary, which include the Komárom bus factory and the battery assembly plant in Fót. Afterward, he was introduced to the latest electric car models produced by BYD.
According to a press release on Tuesday,
Chinese automaker BYD has begun selling its pure electric vehicles in Hungary, becoming the first to do so in the East-Central European region.
Customers can already place orders for these vehicles, with distribution handled by two partner dealer companies, Wallis Motor and Duna Autó, who will also open dedicated showrooms. Plans include establishing a network of at least 20 dealerships within the next two years.
Michael Shu, the Executive Director of BYD Europe, emphasized the significance of making their electric cars officially available in Hungary. BYD has substantial experience in Hungary through its eBus business and the factory in Komárom.
BYD believes that the introduction of competitively priced, modern electric vehicles in Hungary will be a turning point for sustainable transportation. The brand is launching its presence on the Hungarian market with three models that combine advanced electric vehicle technology with eco-friendly solutions. All new vehicles come with a 6-year or 150,000-kilometre warranty, while the energy storage battery includes an 8-year or 200,000-kilometre warranty. The company also provides 24-hour roadside assistance and has begun establishing a national service network.
BYD is the world’s leading manufacturer of plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles (New Energy Vehicle, NEV) chargeable from the socket. The brand made its debut on the European passenger car market in 2022 and has since started sales in 18 European countries.
In China, the daily sales of new cars are equivalent to a year’s sales in Hungary. In the NEV category, 743,000 models were sold in China in September, with daily averages of 52 in the second week, 64 in the third, and 128 at the end of the month. To put this in perspective, the entire Hungarian market sold 111,500 cars last year.
As previously reported by MTI, BYD sold 6.887 million vehicles last year, marking a considerable 93 per cent increase in sales. The automaker expects a robust increase in car sales this year as well.
The AutoWallis Group has shown dynamic growth, nearly 50 per cent, in vehicle sales. The company’s growth has been significant organically, and the acquisition of Renault Hungária last year has added further dynamism. As part of the new partnership agreement, AutoWallis Distribution will offer numerous services to BYD Hungary, the local subsidiary of the manufacturer.
BYD’s automotive business is already present in Hungary with its electric bus manufacturing company, and it plans to enter the battery assembly business with a HUF 10 billion investment in Fót, it was announced in June.
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Sources: Hungarian Conservative/BYD/Press Office of the Prime Minister/MTI
