BYD‘s Camacari plant in Bahia reached a significant milestone of producing 10,000 vehicles just five months after commencing operations on July 1, 2025. This achievement underscores the rapid growth and strategic importance of BYD’s manufacturing footprint in South America.
The factory currently assembles three models: the all-electric Dolphin Mini hatchback, plug-in hybrid King sedan, and Song Pro crossover. The Dolphin Mini, akin to the Seagull model sold in China, was the first vehicle off the production line on July 1st. This marks a significant step forward for BYD’s expansion into international markets.
BYD’s Camacari plant boasts an annual capacity of 150,000 units and aims to scale up to 600,000 cars per year in the long term. The factory has recently added a second shift with 120 night workers, enhancing its production capabilities.
BYD’s market performance in Brazil is impressive; from January to September 2025, BYD sold 89,380 vehicles, including 54,256 plug-in hybrids and 35,124 all-electric cars. This surge mirrors the company’s broader global strategy of electrifying transportation.
BYD’s model lineup in Brazil includes twelve models: Yuan Up (Atto 2), Yuan Plus (Atto 3), Tan, Seal, Han, Dolphin, Dolphin Plus, Dolphin Mini (Seagull), Shark, King (Chaser), Song Plus, and Song Pro. The introduction of the Denza B5 off-road plug-in hybrid SUV next month signals BYD’s commitment to diversifying its offerings in Brazil.
BYD’s expansion into international markets is reminiscent of Toyota’s early forays into North America during the 1980s. Both companies have leveraged local production to meet demand and reduce shipping costs, illustrating a strategic approach that has proven successful over time. BYD’s current capacity and future goals position it as one of the largest manufacturing complexes outside China.
