Will China’s BYD make cars in Argentina? Filing in country may hint at plans
If the EV behemoth follows through with manufacturing, Argentina would host the company’s second vehicle factory in Latin America
Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD registered a local unit as a car manufacturer, a possible hint that the world’s biggest EV maker could soon start producing vehicles in South America’s third-largest auto market.
The filing, registered with the country’s Justice Ministry, authorises BYD Auto Argentina SAU not only to import and sell cars but also to manufacture and maintain vehicles, batteries and auto parts. Essentially, the registration allows operations across the EV supply and service chain.
Although no plans have been revealed, BYD is no stranger to the Argentine market. In 2017, the Chinese carmaker spent US$100 million to build an electric bus manufacturing plant there following a trip to China by then-president Mauricio Macri, who was seeking new foreign investment.
The latest move follows the company’s announcement earlier this year that Argentina would become part of its regional expansion, along with Brazil, Chile and Mexico.
BYD did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation that its Argentine unit would be a manufacturer. If it follows through with such a plan, Argentina would host the Chinese company’s second vehicle factory in Latin America, after its large-scale project in Brazil.
The Brazilian plant, located in the industrial hub of Camacari in Bahia state, is set to be BYD’s biggest production base outside China, selling domestically and to regional markets.