- Company executives engage with hundreds of potential suppliers in Turin
- Focus on opportunities to join BYD’s world-renowned supply chain
- First European factory on track to start making cars this year
BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new-energy vehicles, has told automotive parts suppliers that it is ‘open for business’ at a major convention in Italy.
More than five hundred representatives from 380 major components suppliers in Italy converged on the event in Turin, organised with support from ANFIA (the Associazione Nazionale Filiera Industria Automobilistica, Italy’s National Association of the Automotive Industry).
They heard from senior BYD executives that the company is keen and ready to collaborate with European partners as it prepares its supply chain for continued growth in the region’s passenger-car market.
More than 170 individual meetings to discuss the opportunities for collaboration were held during the event, and attendees were also able to try BYD’s European passenger-car line-up, which has trebled in size in a little over two years.
The event and increasing engagement with Europe’s automotive supplier industry are further key steps in BYD’s expansion into the region, spearheaded by the ongoing construction of its first localised passenger-car production facility. Located in Hungary, the new factory is on track to start producing its first vehicles before the end of this year. It is a central component of BYD’s pan-European strategy, with cars being produced in Europe for European customers.
Speaking at the event, Mr Alfredo Altavilla, BYD Special Advisor for Europe, said, “I am extremely pleased to have created this link between BYD and our industrial supply chain, made up of companies that represent the excellence of Italian know-how. These companies are distinguished by know-how that has no equal on the international scene and that the whole world recognises. Italy is the first country involved in this activity, and I believe it is right to offer our companies the opportunity to once again become active players in the future of mobility, especially in this delicate phase of technological transition, in which they can play a fundamental role.”
He Zhiqi, BYD’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, pointed out that BYD has always had a collaborative approach to its expansion. “Over the years, we have carried out long-term strategic cooperation with the world’s top suppliers,” he told guests. “We always firmly believe that the development of new-energy vehicles is inseparable from the support of global partners. We maintain an open attitude and sincerely invite all suppliers to join our new-energy vehicle supply chain.”
Founded in 1995, BYD (Build Your Dreams) is the only NEV producer to have developed its own power systems, power batteries, automotive semiconductors, motors and motor controller systems. Last November, BYD became the first auto maker in the world to reach the production milestone of 10 million NEVs – a groundbreaking figure that is testament to the company’s steadfast commitment to sustainable development. As a technology company, BYD employs over 120,000 engineers and technicians, and it applies for more than 40 new patents every working day.
