BYD narrows second European factory choice to France or Spain, decision expected after July 2026 conference
By Eve
Chinese EV maker BYD, the world's second largest electric vehicle seller, confirmed at the Reuters Automotive Europe conference in Frankfurt in early July 2026 that France and Spain are the two finalists for its second European production site. BYD's European sales surged 144% in the first five months of 2026, reaching 134,306 vehicles sold across the continent, underscoring the strategic rationale for local manufacturing beyond its existing European footprint.
Why it matters: A BYD factory in France or Spain would create significant procurement opportunities for construction, electrical infrastructure and charging equipment suppliers as the manufacturer scales local production to serve its rapidly growing European customer base. The site selection signals where major OEM investment and associated charging infrastructure build out will concentrate in the next phase of European EV expansion.