In the wave of the global new energy industry, the overseas expansion path of one Chinese company is particularly noteworthy.

It didn't just start in the last two years; it began its overseas布局 as early as 1998.

Over more than two decades, it started with battery sales and OEM, used electric buses to open doors to developed countries, and now sells passenger cars worldwide, building factories abroad and participating in rule-making. This path has been solid and brilliant.

This company is BYD.

This article systematically reviews how BYD started from a battery office and gradually moved to the center of the global new energy industry stage.

Phase 1 (1998–2009): Low-Key Explorations

Many might guess that BYD's first overseas stop was the US or Japan. Actually, BYD chose the Netherlands.

In 1998, BYD established its first overseas subsidiary in the Netherlands as its European headquarters.

At that time, BYD's main business was not cars but batteries and electronics OEM.

As a battery-founded company, BYD first pushed its core business—batteries—into overseas markets.

The next year, 1999, BYD set up a North American subsidiary, formally entering the US market.

It wasn't until 2007 that BYD began exporting complete vehicles, signing cooperation agreements with traders in Portugal, Angola, etc., as a preliminary exploration of vehicle exports.

Although vehicle sales were limited in this phase, it was significant. It helped BYD accomplish three basic tasks:

  • Accumulated practical experience in international trade.
  • Reserved the first batch of overseas talent.
  • Initially established the brand awareness of "BYD" internationally.

This is exactly "preparing supplies before troops move," laying a solid foundation for subsequent vehicle exports.

Phase 2 (2010–2020): Finding a Different Path

Entering 2010, BYD made a seemingly "unconventional" decision: it did not rush to push family cars globally but proposed the "urban public transport electrification" strategy—focusing on new energy buses and electric buses.

The logic behind this choice: the passenger car market was already crowded, with traditional fuel vehicle brands from Europe, the US, Japan, and Korea entrenched for a century, making head-on competition difficult. Electric buses were a blue ocean at the time, and as city cards, buses could better demonstrate technological strength.

This strategy proved effective. In 2013, BYD built a large pure electric bus factory in Lancaster, California—the first Chinese auto factory in the US. That same year, BYD electric buses began conquering European markets.

For example, in London, BYD's electric bus market share once reached 80%. That means about eight out of ten red buses on London streets came from BYD.

By around 2020, BYD commercial vehicles had entered over 70 countries, with cumulative sales exceeding 85,000 units and a 20% market share in Europe.

In this phase, BYD used commercial vehicles to open a gap in developed markets, proving to the world that Chinese-made new energy vehicles are not only "usable" but also "good and reliable," building a trust foundation for later passenger car exports.

Phase 3 (2021–2025): Riding the Wave

The real explosion began in 2021.

In May 2021, BYD officially launched the "Passenger Car Export" plan, starting with Norway—a country with very high EV adoption—and the Tang EV model. This marked a new stage of globalization.

In 2022, BYD accelerated its European layout, launching Han, Yuan PLUS (overseas name ATTO 3) in Germany, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, and other markets. BYD cars began appearing frequently on European streets.

From 2023 to 2025, BYD entered "sprint" mode. Look at the numbers: In 2025, BYD's passenger car exports exceeded 128,000 units in February alone, with cumulative annual exports of 878,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 313.4%—more than tripled.

In Brazil, BYD became the sales champion; it also performed strongly in Turkey, the UK, Germany, and other markets. It can be said that from 2021 to 2025, BYD's passenger cars completed a leap from "testing waters" to "mainstream."

Phase 4 (2025–present): Rooting Globally

The final phase, currently underway: rooting globally.

As overseas sales surged, new challenges arose: high shipping costs, long transportation cycles, and risks of tariffs or trade barriers in destination countries.

In response, BYD made a deeper move—from "selling cars" to "making cars" by building production bases overseas.

Since September 2022, BYD has successively announced new energy passenger car factories in Thailand, Uzbekistan, Brazil, Hungary, and Indonesia.

For example, the Rayong factory in Thailand, broke ground in 2024, with an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles, supplying not only Thailand but also the entire ASEAN and Europe.

The Hungary factory is also progressing in 2025—this is BYD's first passenger car factory in Europe. A significant portion of BYD cars sold in Europe in the future will likely be "Made in Hungary."

Thus, BYD's overseas expansion path is clear and orderly: from battery OEM, to commercial vehicle pioneers, to full passenger car exports, and finally to localized production.

Each step interlocked, meticulously planned—a classic example of a Chinese manufacturing company going global.

Lessons Learned

Reviewing BYD's more than 20-year overseas journey, five lessons can be extracted.

First: Tackle Difficult Points First

BYD didn't start by selling cars. It first did battery OEM and sales, operating in the Netherlands and the US for many years. These basic tasks seemed small but accumulated international trade experience, overseas team management skills, and early brand recognition. By the time it started selling cars, many pitfalls had already been avoided.

Second: Find a Breakthrough Instead of Head-On Clashes

Facing fierce competition in the passenger car market, BYD chose not to confront head-on but focused on electric buses. This strategy allowed it to avoid traditional automakers' strengths, capture 80% of London's electric bus market, and build the first Chinese bus factory in the US. Using commercial vehicles to open a gap and then driving passenger car exports proved wise.

Third: Seize Opportunity Windows

In 2021, when global new energy demand exploded, BYD decisively launched its passenger car export plan. In the following three years, exports skyrocketed from a few thousand to 878,000 units in 2025, more than tripling. When a key window appears, concentrate resources and go full speed—BYD did exactly that.

Fourth: Deepen Localization After Scaling Up

When overseas sales reach a certain scale, relying solely on exports encounters high logistics costs and tariff barriers. BYD's response: direct investment in factories in Thailand, Hungary, Brazil, etc., shifting from "selling cars" to "making cars." This not only lowers costs but also allows the company to truly root in local markets, no longer just a visitor.

Fifth: Ultimate Competition Lies in System Capability

BYD's overseas expansion is not a single-point breakthrough but a coordinated output of the entire industry chain. Core technologies such as batteries, motors, and electronic controls are self-owned, and it even built its own fleet for vehicle transport. From battery OEM to commercial vehicles, from passenger cars to overseas factories, each step serves a complete system. Strong single points can win temporarily, but a strong system can go far.

Conclusion

BYD's more than 20-year overseas journey—from battery OEM, to commercial vehicles as pioneers, to full passenger car exports, and finally to rooting overseas with factories—each step interlocked, meticulously planned.

There are no shortcuts; it relies on deep industry cultivation, rhythm control, and persistence in long-termism.

BYD's case shows Chinese companies another possibility of going global: no need to rush, no need for head-on attacks; find your own rhythm and breakthrough, and you can also reach the center of the world stage. This may be the most valuable inspiration for those who follow.

About GIS

2026 GIS Global Innovation Exhibition & Global Innovation Summit · Hong Kong will be held on August 24-27, 2026 in Hong Kong.

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