On January 25th, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, visited the BYD headquarters in Shenzhen, China. During this visit, Mirziyoyev and Wang Chuanfu, the President of BYD, conducted a remote production start-up ceremony for BYD’s new factory in Uzbekistan, marking the official production launch of the Song Plus DM-i, the first vehicle from this facility. Additionally, Wang presented the 10,000th new energy vehicle (NEV) sold by BYD in the Uzbekistan market – a Yangwang U8 – to President Mirziyoyev.
During his visit, President Mirziyoyev witnessed a safety demonstration of BYD’s Blade Battery, gaining insight into the safety and technological aspects of BYD’s products. He also observed the Yangwang U8’s turn-in-place capability at the outdoor intelligent parking demonstration area. In discussions with Wang Chuanfu, Mirziyoyev expressed his hope for increased production capacity at the Uzbekistan facility and a deepening of cooperation between the two entities.
This visit coincides with Mirziyoyev’s state visit to China from January 23rd to 25th. His tour of the BYD headquarters was part of a broader engagement with Chinese enterprises. The Uzbekistan-China Investment Forum, held on January 25th in Shenzhen, brought together political and business representatives from both countries. The forum focused on enhancing bilateral economic and trade relations and expanding mutual investments, in line with the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two nations.
The agreement to produce electric and hybrid vehicles in Uzbekistan was signed in September last year between the Uzbekistan Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade and BYD. As per the agreement, BYD and Uzavtosanoat JSC, a state-controlled automotive group in Uzbekistan, established a joint venture, “BYD Uzbekistan Factory,” to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles.
BYD’s production layout in other countries
The expansion of BYD into Uzbekistan is part of the company’s broader global strategy. Earlier this month, BYD launched three pure electric models in Indonesia and announced a 1.3 billion USD investment in an automotive factory there, expecting a production capacity of 150,000 units.
The Financial Times reported mid-month that BYD is constructing its first electric vehicle factory outside Asia in Brazil. Alexandre Baldy, BYD’s Director in South American countries, discussed a potential supply agreement, joint venture, or acquisition with Sigma Lithium, a Brazilian lithium producer worth 2.9 billion USD. Baldy highlighted BYD’s efforts to establish an integrated supply chain in Brazil, including active discussions with Sigma.
BYD’s global expansion includes new factories in Thailand, plans for an electric vehicle factory in Hungary, and ongoing negotiations to establish a facility in Mexico.
