BYD to Establish European HQ and R&D Centre in Hungary, Creating Thousands of High-Value Jobs

BYD, the world’s leading manufacturer of new-energy vehicles, has announced the establishment of its European business headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, alongside a new European research and development (R&D) centre. This strategic expansion underscores BYD’s commitment to localisation and innovation in Europe and is expected to create thousands of high-value jobs in the Hungarian capital.

The new HQ will be located in Budapest’s 11th district and marks BYD’s fifth site in Hungary. The company already operates a bus manufacturing plant in Komárom, and maintains facilities in Fót and Páty. Additionally, a major passenger car production plant is under development in Szeged, further strengthening BYD’s footprint in the country.

The R&D centre will initially focus on two high-impact projects. The first aims to further integrate intelligence into modern mobility solutions, while the second will concentrate on developing advanced next-generation electrification technologies. These projects will be supported by significant investment and collaborative efforts with Hungarian universities and domestic partners.

As part of its localisation strategy, BYD will produce patents from its Hungarian R&D activities and actively engage with Hungarian start-ups and suppliers. Importantly, at least 90% of employees at the R&D centre are expected to have higher-education qualifications, contributing to Hungary’s growing reputation as a hub for high-tech and innovation-driven industries.

Wang Chuanfu, Chairman of BYD, commented:

“Establishing BYD’s European headquarters in Hungary is a natural progression. As the core hub for our operations in the region, the HQ will focus on sales and after-sales services, vehicle certification and testing, and localised vehicle design. These functions will strengthen our integration with local markets and support sustainable growth across Europe.”

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed the investment, highlighting its alignment with the country’s long-term strategy:

“Our vision has always been that production comes first, followed by development and then research. With BYD’s new development centre, we are entering a new era where Hungary hosts not just factories, but also the innovation behind them.”

This latest move by BYD represents a significant step in Europe’s transition to sustainable mobility and positions Hungary as a central player in the continent’s evolving electric vehicle landscape.