'Hungary' for more: BYD bases European HQ in Budapest

BYD has announced a commitment to base its European business HQ in Budapest, Hungary, which will also be supported by a new European research and development centre.

The new HQ marks the fifth site for BYD in Hungary, following the bus factory in Komarom, additional facilities in Fot and Paty, and Szeged - the location of its forthcoming passenger-car manufacturing plant.

BYD has committed to produce patents based on development at the Hungarian centre and cooperate with Hungarian start-ups and domestic suppliers

The research and development (R&D) element of the commitment will start with two specific projects, supported by significant investment. The first project will focus on the further integration of intelligence into modern mobility, while the second will help to develop advanced next generation electrification technologies.

As evidence of BYD's stated policy of localisation in Europe, it has committed to produce patents based on development at the Hungarian centre, and to cooperate with Hungarian start-ups and domestic suppliers.

As the core hub for BYD's European operations, the brand has said that the new HQ will focus on three key functions: Sales and after-sales services, vehicle certification and testing, and localised vehicle design and feature development.