BYD close to opening EV plant in Cambodia

BYD’s global expansion continues at a fast clip as the Chinese automaker selects another production location abroad. It has revealed plans to make EVs in Cambodia, following in Ford’s and Toyota’s footsteps.

BYD opened a plant in Thailand in 2024 and is now seeking to establish a footprint in another Southeast Asian country. The company is currently in talks with the authorities on building a production facility in Cambodia, with negotiations reportedly in the final stages.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet revealed the news while presiding over a graduating ceremony at the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP). Hun said a final decision is expected to come in 2025.

The Prime Minister hopes to attract more automakers, some of which are adjusting their production strategies in response to geopolitical tensions. His government wants to boost exports of vehicles and electronics to over $2 billion, generating more than 22,000 new jobs in the process.

Manet assured potential auto investors that Cambodia has the required human resources to power industries requiring specialized skills.

Commenting on the news, Natharoun Ngo Son, the Country Director of EnergyLab in Cambodia, said hosting EV production hubs is a chance for Cambodia to reskill or upskill its workforce and create better-paying jobs. Natharoun’s organization plans to start an upskilling program to service Cambodia’s EV industry in 2025.

Ford started production in Cambodia in 2022, and Toyota followed suit in May 2024, for reference.

BYD started selling its Shark 6 PHEV in Cambodia in October 2024. Its new energy vehicle (NEV) business continues to boom, with sales of over 500,000 units worldwide in October 2024, its fifth consecutive month of growth. To shore up its global deliveries, the automaker wants to manufacture EVs in Mexico, Brazil, Pakistan, Hungary, and Turkey.

BYD sells a wide range of cheaper EVs but is also looking to break into the luxury segment.