BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new-energy vehicles, has recently announced an agreement with voestalpine, a globally renowned steel and technology group, to supply its upcoming passenger car plant in Hungary.
The agreement, confirmed in Vienna by BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li and voestalpine CEO Herbert Eibensteiner, includes the supply of sheet steel. voestalpine becomes one of the first confirmed supply partners for BYD’s Szeged facility. The company was selected for its close proximity to the Hungarian plant and the exceptional quality and reputation of Austrian steel.
The agreement marks an important milestone in BYD’s localisation strategy, as the company continues to grow its presence across Europe. By the end of 2025, BYD vehicles will be available in 29 European countries, supported by a retail network of over 1,000 stores. The company has also announced plans for a new European headquarters in Budapest, along with its first dedicated European R&D centre, both based in Hungary.
The inclusion of voestalpine as a supplier highlights BYD’s commitment to partnering with high-quality, competitive local suppliers to achieve its goal of building vehicles in Europe, for Europe. As preparations for European production ramp up, BYD continues to engage with hundreds of potential suppliers in key markets.
BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li commented: “BYD has always been clear that we have come to Europe to stay in Europe – and to produce here. Our commitment to the European market is strong and as we’re showing here, it goes far beyond pure car sales. We’re applying a long-term vision here, with the goal of being seen by consumers, within the next five years, as a European manufacturer. Our factory in Hungary is at the heart of this process, of course, so every local supplier we announce is another significant step. I’m delighted that we will be working with voestalpine, a company that has a long history of innovation and a commitment to decarbonisation and sustainable CO2 reduction.”
Herbert Eibensteiner, CEO voestalpine, said: “With its high-quality steel products, voestalpine is an important partner for the global automotive industry. We offer renowned automotive manufacturers and suppliers reliable and sustainable solutions, thanks to our unique combination of technology and materials expertise. Our products can be found in almost all automotive assemblies – from the body and powertrain to safety-critical components. Starting this fall, we will be supplying BYD – a Chinese technology company that manufactures in Europe – from our location in Linz. We are confident that this initial order for the production of high-quality flat steel for car bodies and outer panels will lay the foundation for a long-term partnership.”
BYD has been enjoying strong progress in Austria, becoming the number one brand with private BEV buyers (and enjoying a 15% share of that market). Its overall market share in the country now sits at 2.5%. To further support this success, BYD has also announced that Austria will become the European Union pilot market for the implementation of V2H (Vehicle to Home) technology in its vehicles.
Austria has been selected for this project, which will be carried out in collaboration with a local partner, due to the country’s strong adoption of solar energy—over half of Austrian households are powered by solar panels. Customer interest is also high, with BYD dealerships reporting that nearly half of their customers are already inquiring about the availability of V2H technology to enhance solar efficiency and reduce energy costs. Further details, including the project timeline, will be shared in the near future.
