Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD has launched its first-ever exports of Thailand-manufactured EVs to Europe, strategically bypassing new European Union (EU) tariffs on China-made electric cars. This marks a major milestone for BYD and highlights Thailand’s growing importance in the global EV supply chain.
On Monday, more than 900 BYD Dolphin EVs rolled out from BYD’s Rayong plant in Thailand and were shipped aboard the BYD Zhengzhou, the company’s dedicated cargo vessel.
The shipment is headed to major European markets, including Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, marking the plant’s first direct export to Europe.
The move comes as the EU imposes anti-subsidy tariffs on EVs produced in China. Although BYD received a lower tariff rate of 20.7%—in addition to the standard 10% customs duty—due to its cooperation with the EU’s probe, exporting from Thailand allows the company to completely sidestep these added costs.
BYD’s Rayong factory, inaugurated in July 2024, is its first fully-owned passenger car plant outside of China. With an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, the facility serves both domestic Thai customers and international markets.
In July 2025, the plant celebrated the delivery of its 90,000th vehicle, a significant milestone just a year after operations began.
This expansion aligns with BYD’s broader international strategy. The company has been rapidly scaling up global EV sales, recording a 133.5% year-on-year increase in overseas sales during the first seven months of 2025. A total of 545,003 units were sold outside China in this period, demonstrating BYD’s aggressive push into international markets.
However, despite strong overseas performance, the company’s overall passenger vehicle sales growth has shown signs of slowing. In July 2025, BYD reported just a 0.1% year-on-year increase—the slowest pace in the past 18 months.
Still, industry analysts view BYD’s Thailand exports as a smart strategic move to strengthen its European presence while avoiding rising trade barriers.
By leveraging Southeast Asia as a manufacturing hub, BYD is positioning itself as a more competitive player in the global EV race.