BYD announced today it will establish its European business headquarters in Budapest, Hungary, alongside a new research and development center. The expansion marks the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer’s fifth location in Hungary.
The headquarters, to be located in Budapest’s 11th district, will create thousands of jobs according to the company. BYD plans to partner with at least three Hungarian universities to support training and educational opportunities.
The R&D center will initially focus on two projects with substantial investment: advancing intelligent mobility systems and developing next-generation electrification technologies. The company expects at least 90 percent of employees at the center to have higher education qualifications.
BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu described the move as “a natural progression” for the company’s European strategy. “As the core hub for BYD’s European operations, the headquarters will focus on three key functions: sales and after-sales services, vehicle certification and testing, and localised vehicle design and feature development,” he said. “Through these synergies, we aim to deepen integration with local markets, enhance our localisation capabilities and brand influence, and ensure sustainable growth in Europe.”
The announcement follows BYD’s previous Hungarian investments including a bus factory in Komárom, facilities in Fót and Páty, and a forthcoming passenger car manufacturing plant in Szeged.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán welcomed the development: “Our goal is for foreign investors to bring development capacities to Hungary. Not only manufacturing, but also development capacities. Our idea has always been that the factories arrive first, then the factories’ development centres arrive, and finally the research centres arrive… That is why today’s meeting and agreement are of great importance.”
BYD has committed to producing patents based on work at the Hungarian center and collaborating with local start-ups and suppliers.
