New BYD Battery Factory To Power Southeast Asia EVs

China’s BYD has teamed up with Vietnamese automaker Kim Long Motor to build a $130 million EV battery factory in Hue, Vietnam, as the company looks to expand its footprint in Southeast Asia.

The new plant, located within Kim Long’s industrial park, kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony on Jan 27. In its first phase, the factory will cover 4.4 hectares and produce 3 GWh of batteries annually, primarily for trucks, buses, vans, and other commercial EVs targeting regional markets. 

Phase two will expand production to 6 GWh per year, adding battery lines for passenger cars and increasing capacity across a 10-hectare facility.

Kim Long has already developed 34-seat electric sleeper buses using BYD’s battery technology, marking a significant step in bringing green interprovincial transportation to Vietnam and the broader Southeast Asian region.

According to Kim Long’s general director, Dao Viet Anh, the plant is expected to reach a localization rate of over 80% by Q2 2026, setting the stage for a regional EV and battery hub. 

BYD will provide full technical support and technology transfer, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer and the second-largest EV battery maker globally.

From Jan to Nov last year, BYD’s EV battery installations totaled 175.2 GWh, capturing 16.7% of the global market, according to South Korea’s SNE Research.

The Hue battery plant is not only a boost for BYD and Kim Long but also a milestone for sustainable transport in Vietnam, supporting the rise of EVs in both domestic and export markets.