Chinese automaker BYD Auto has revealed the commencement of battery electric vehicle (BEV) exports from its Thailand facility, with the first batch of Thai-assembled cars shipped to Europe from Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri province.
The automaker confirmed it has exported 960 BYD Dolphin electric vehicles to Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The shipment was carried aboard the BYD Zhengzhou, the company’s seventh roll-on/roll-off (RORO) carrier, named after the city of Zhengzhou, which hosts one of BYD’s key manufacturing facilities.
The voyage represents the vessel’s maiden voyage from Thailand to Europe, signaling a further advancement in BYD’s global supply chain and shipping operations.
The development follows the launch of BYD’s $490 million factory in Rayong province in July last year, which has an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, including both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Until recently, the plant exclusively assembled right-hand-drive Dolphin models for the domestic market and other ASEAN countries. The company has now begun producing left-hand-drive versions, expanding the plant’s role in the global market.
BYD manufactures the Dolphin electric hatchback, the Atto 3 electric SUV, and the Seal electric sedan at the facility. By July, the Rayong plant had produced over 90,000 vehicles.
Exporting EVs from Thailand to Europe also offers additional advantages, allowing the automaker to avoid the special tariffs the EU has imposed on electric vehicles manufactured in China.
In July, BYD recorded sales of 344,296 new energy vehicles (NEVs), reflecting a modest 0.56% increase compared to the same month last year, but a 10.01% drop from June’s figures, according to data released on August. Overseas sales totaled 80,737 units, marking a sharp 169% year-on-year surge, though slightly down by 10.34% from the previous month.
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