BANGKOK/BUDAPEST, July 2026 - Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are executing an aggressive global factory construction strategy, moving beyond simple vehicle exports to establish deep localized manufacturing footprints. In Thailand alone, seven major Chinese automakers including BYD, Great Wall Motors, SAIC, and Changan have built production facilities with cumulative investments exceeding $3 billion.
Chery's Vietnam factory officially commenced production in 2026, while BYD is constructing a massive manufacturing complex in Brazil. In Europe, BYD is building a factory in Hungary, and multiple Chinese brands are evaluating production sites across Eastern and Southern Europe to serve the EU market while navigating the bloc's anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese EVs.
AVATR, the premium EV brand jointly created by Changan, Huawei, and CATL, is accelerating its globalization strategy with over 210,000 global owners. The brand has expanded from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, Latin America, and is preparing for European market entry. This factory-building wave represents a strategic evolution from "Made in China, Sold to the World" to "Made Locally, Sold Locally," enabling Chinese automakers to better serve regional markets while mitigating trade barriers.
Source: Baijiahao, Autohome, MOFCOM, 2026
