BYD is taking significant strides in expanding its presence in Europe by planning to acquire its German distributor, Hedin Electric Mobility. This strategic move will bolster BYD’s control over its vehicle sales and operations in Germany, enhancing its position as a leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer on the continent. The acquisition is expected to be finalised by the fourth quarter of this year, pending approval.

With this purchase, BYD will take full responsibility for the sales and distribution of its vehicles and spare parts in Germany, and also manage key stores in Stuttgart and Frankfurt. This move comes as the German EV market faces declining sales in 2024, but BYD remains determined to overcome the challenge by strengthening its local operations. In 2022, BYD successfully sold over 4,000 vehicles in Germany, underscoring its growing foothold in the country.

Hedin Electric Mobility, a part of the Swedish mobility group Hedin Automotive, initially played a crucial role in BYD’s entry into Europe, collaborating with six dealers in Germany. Despite the acquisition, Hedin will continue to sell BYD cars in three German cities. BYD has also teamed up with other dealers like Sternauto, which opened a store in Berlin earlier in 2024.

Beyond Germany, BYD is rapidly expanding its global footprint. The company is setting up manufacturing sites in Europe and Mexico, with a goal to grow annual sales by 20%. BYD is pursuing this objective by offering competitive discounts on its top-selling EV models. In the first seven months of 2024, 11.9% of BYD’s total sales were international, with the UK emerging as the brand’s strongest market in Europe.