Posted on 30 Jun 2025
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) producer BYD says it has agreed to procure steel from Austrian steelmaker voestalpine for its new car factory in Hungary, Kallanish notes.
Signed by BYD executive vice president Stella Li, alongside voestalpine chief executive Herbert Eibensteiner in Vienna, the agreement covers sheet steel, and makes voestalpine one of the first confirmed supply partners for the Szeged facility.
The company was chosen by BYD because of its geographical proximity to the factory in Hungary, and the high quality and excellent reputation of Austrian steel, the Chinese company claims.
According to the carmaker, the agreement marks a significant step in BYD’s localisation policy, as the brand continues to expand its operations across Europe. “BYD will be on sale in 29 European countries by the end of 2025, and its sales network will comprise more than 1,000 retail stores. In addition, BYD recently committed to a new European headquarters in Budapest, along with its first bespoke European R&D centre, also in Hungary,” it adds.
“The announcement of voestalpine as a supplier demonstrates how BYD is committed to sourcing high-quality, competitive local suppliers to support its stated goal of producing cars in Europe, for Europe,” it notes. “Our company continues to meet with hundreds of potential suppliers in key markets as it ramps up preparations for the start of European production.”
“BYD has always been clear that we have come to Europe to stay in Europe – and to produce here,” says Stella Li. “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. 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.”
“With its high-quality steel products, voestalpine is an important partner for the global automotive industry,” says Eibensteiner. “We are confident 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 with BYD.”
BYD has been enjoying strong progress in Austria, becoming the number one brand with private battery electric vehicle 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 EU pilot market for the implementation of V2H (Vehicle to Home) technology in its vehicles.
Austria has been chosen for this project, which will be managed in conjunction with a local partner, because of the country’s high penetration of solar energy. More than half of all Austrian households are supplied with solar-panel energy. Customer demand is also strong, with BYD dealerships reporting that half of customers are already asking when V2H will become available.
Source:Kallanish
