BYD Ships Thai-Assembled EVs to Europe, Malaysia Next in Line?

BYD has started exporting Thai-assembled cars to Europe, marking another step in its global push. The first batch of over 900 Dolphins set sail this week for Germany, Belgium and UK aboard BYD’s own vessel, Zhengzhou. It was the ship’s maiden trip from Thailand to Europe.

The Zhengzhou is the seventh roll-on/roll-off ship purpose-built by BYD, with capacity for up to 7,000 vehicles. On its Southeast Asian route, it recently passed through Malaysia, where it delivered vehicles assembled in China.

The Dolphins bound for Europe come from BYD’s Rayong plant, its first fully owned passenger car factory outside of China. Opened in July 2024, the facility can produce 150,000 vehicles a year and has already delivered 90,000 within its first twelve months.

While it serves the Thai market, the plant is clearly designed with exports in mind. That export role is strategic. With the EU imposing extra tariffs on China-made EVs, producing in Southeast Asia allows BYD to stay competitive.

Shipping vehicles from Thailand to Europe underscores how vital this region has become to the company’s global strategy.

Malaysia may soon join the same playbook. BYD has confirmed plans for a 600,000 sq-m CKD plant in Tanjung Malim, scheduled to begin operations in the H2 2026.

The question is whether this investment is mainly to meet local demand or whether Malaysia, like Thailand and potentially Indonesia, is being lined up as another export hub to bypass trade barriers.

Either way, Malaysia stands to benefit. A plant of this scale will create thousands of jobs, deepen the supply chain, and give the country a larger role in the global EV industry.

Beyond putting more EVs on Malaysian roads while still taking advantage of tax exemptions, the country could find itself at the centre of an export network helping BYD expand globally.

Source: CarNewsChina