BYD is considering the possibility of building an assembly plant in Peru, the local news agency Andina reports with a link to Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier González-Olaechea. The establishment of the BYD manufacturing facility will leverage the China-Peru strategic collaboration around Chancay Harbor.

The friendship between China and Peru accelerated as Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra visited China in June. She also made an appointment with BYD and Huawei during her visit. The key factor of the Peru-China cooperation is the establishment of free trade agreements. These countries also run the Chancay Port project, with China-owned Cosco Shipping Ports company holding 60% of the stake. This port will become “the gateway from South America to Asia” when finished.

BYD plant in Peru

First, the establishment of the BYD facility was mentioned as a possible option after Peruvian President Dina Ercilia visited Shenzhen on June 26. Our regular readers know Shenzhen is the motherland of BYD and Huawei. Two weeks later, the cooperation with BYD made headlines once again as this topic was highlighted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru Javier González-Olaechea.

Mr. González-Olaechea mentioned that Shenzhen is the most important digital technology center in China. He said that the visit to BYD and Huawei HQ was impressive. The Peruvian Minister also mentioned that BYD expressed the possibility of setting up an assembly plant in Peru, as well as in two other Latin American countries.

“On this matter, there was nothing but good reception, very promising statements, some very specific regarding the fact that next steps would be taken in relation to increasing investments that already exist or from companies that will begin their prospecting activities to evaluate and, surely, commit more investments in Peru”

Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier González-Olaechea

Does BYD want to manufacture cars in Peru?

Previously, CarNewsChina mentioned that BYD explored the establishment of EV factories in Mexico and Brazil. These two countries also build a productive relationship with China. In May 2024, BYD began construction of a manufacturing complex in Brazil. It will start operating in early 2025 with a production capacity of 150,000 cars early. In June 2024, Mexico officials said the negotiations around the BYD manufacturing plant are in the final stages.

The establishment of an assembly plant in Peru is a possible option since it shares a border with Brazil. However, two manufacturing facilities can help BYD to boost its development in the market. On the other hand, the Peruvian Minister didn’t confirm that BYD wants to establish a passenger car manufacturing facility in Peru. Therefore, BYD has many options: buses, batteries, trains, and car components.

In March 2024, BYD launched the pickup truck Shark in Mexico for 899,980 Mexican pesos (53,400 USD). It is the Hilux-size PHEV with 429 hp and 5.7-second zero-to-hundred acceleration time.