Build Your Dreams (BYD) began this Thursday (9) to assemble its first hybrid and electric cars in Brazil. The inauguration of the Camaçari factory, in Bahia, was attended by President Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and leaders of the automaker.
Initial production includes the Dolphin Mini, the Song Pro hybrid SUV and the King midsize sedan. Next week, the vehicles will arrive at Brazilian dealerships. This project is part of an investment of R$5.5 billion announced by BYD last year.
The cars will be assembled in CKD (completely disassembled) and SKD (partially disassembled) formats. The factory will have an initial capacity for 150,000 vehicles per year and could later double to 300,000.
In addition, BYD plans to launch flex hybrid engines, which run on gasoline and ethanol, in 2026.
The Camaçari unit belonged to Ford and was purchased by BYD in 2023. Currently, the automaker maintains other factories in Brazil: in Campinas (SP), for electric bus chassis, and in Manaus (AM), for photovoltaic modules.