BYD Opens Massive Brazil Plant on Former Ford Site, Underscoring China’s Expanding Foothold in Latin America

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signs a sticker atop BYD's 14 millionth new energy vehicle produced during the inauguration of the company's latest factory in Brazil. Image via BYD.

Chinese auto giant BYD inaugurated its largest factory outside of Asia in the central Brazilian coastal city of Camaçari late last week. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was there to mark the occasion that also coincided with BYD’s 14 millionth new energy vehicle coming off the assembly line.

The new factory was built on the site of an old Ford Motor plant and now has a capacity to produce 150,000 vehicles a year, with plans to double that output in the future. The new facility will also employ 20,000 people in the region when it’s fully operational.

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by Eric Olander

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