President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said this Thursday (9) that the inauguration of the new electric and hybrid vehicle factory of Chinese BYD, in Camaçari (BA), shows the automaker’s confidence in Brazil’s development. When participating in the launch of the complex, Lula highlighted the trajectory of the company’s president and founder, Wang Chuanfu. 
“This man managed to transform himself into an electric car genius, a genius with the most advanced technology in the world and build this extraordinary factory and place trust in Brazil,” said Lula.
Lula said that Chuanfu was orphaned as a teenager and, despite the difficulties, he managed to develop professionally.
“So, my thanks, I want you to know that the Brazilian people and the Bahian people appreciate your willingness”, added Lula to the BYD president.
The Asian giant’s investment in the complex is R$5.5 billion. Present in Brazil for more than a decade, the company has other investments in the country, with production units in Campinas (SP) and Manaus (AM), and expansion projects and entry into other markets in Latin America.
The new plant in Camaçari has the initial capacity to produce 150,000 vehicles per year and 300,000 in a second stage. Currently, the unit operates with the assembly of vehicles. From 2026 onwards, production will be nationalized, with the inclusion of stages such as stamping, welding and painting, in addition to a higher rate of components manufactured in the country.
According to the government, when fully operational, the complex will have the potential to generate 20,000 direct and indirect jobs, including employees, service providers and suppliers.
President of the Republic, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, during a visit to the BYD vehicle assembly line. Petrochemical Complex, Camaçari – BA. Photo: Ricardo Stuckert / PR – Ricardo Stuckert / PR
Technology
During the event, BYD presented President Lula with the first hybrid vehicle flex plugin of the world. The system was designed and built especially for Brazil, using technology developed in cooperation between Brazilian and Chinese engineers, designed to work with any proportion of ethanol and gasoline.
The Chinese company set up shop in old Ford factory in the industrial hub of Camaçari. The unit had been idle since January 2021, when the Ford group announced the exit from Brazil as manufacturerstarting to act only as an importer.
Work to install BYD began in March 2024. According to the government, the complex obtained the international I-REC certification, which certifies that 100% of the electrical energy consumed comes from clean and renewable sources.
