BYD is preparing to begin full-process vehicle production at its Camaçari plant in Bahia, Brazil, by the end of 2026. The company is testing stamping, body welding and painting at the factory during October, according to BYD Brazil vice-president Alexandre Baldy. He said the tests could be completed around mid-November, with local production expected to start between November and December. The first vehicles built using the complete process could leave the plant in December, following an earlier period of SKD and CKD assembly.
The first model slated for this production process is the BYD Atto 2 DM-i, a plug-in hybrid that can also run on flex fuel. The article lists current prices of R$149,990 to R$166,660, depending on version. Local production is expected to help BYD avoid the 35% import tax cited in the report, respond to demand more quickly and make vehicle changes with less dependence on China.
BYD sees domestic manufacturing as part of its effort to reach an annual sales target of 600,000 vehicles in Brazil, where Fiat is identified as the market leader. The Atto 2 is only one part of the company’s local model range: the article also points to the Dolphin Mini, Dolphin, Song Pro and Song Plus as important sellers. The report does not provide a precise production-volume target for the Camaçari factory.