► Article by Observer News Network, Zhou Shengming

On October 9 local time, BYD welcomed a "presidential customer" — Brazilian President Lula became the owner of the BYD Song Pro.

BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu delivered the 14th million new energy vehicle of BYD to Brazilian President Lula. BYD

This Song Pro was produced at BYD's Brazilian passenger car factory and is also the 14th million new energy vehicle of BYD.

Placing the launch ceremony in South America is itself a declaration for BYD — it wants the world to see that China's new energy vehicles' globalization has moved from "export" to "establishment".

President Lula, Wang Chuanfu, and employees of BYD's Camarari factory in Brazil. BYD

Behind this milestone lies a more worthy question: when Chinese automakers start producing locally, shaping brands, and integrating into society, what kind of new industrial relationship are they building?

"Localization" is the "root" of globalization

Now, BYD has become one of the most influential automotive brands in Brazil.

Public data shows that from January to May this year, BYD's pure electric vehicle market share in Brazil reached 92.16%, and the hybrid market share was 35.8%. In September alone, sales exceeded 10,000 units, and the cumulative total for the first nine months exceeded 77,000 units, ranking first in Brazil's new energy vehicle market for two consecutive years.

BYD's rise has been astonishing, but not accidental. As BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu said on site: "BYD in Brazil is not just an investor, but also a long-term partner."

Wang Chuanfu's speech on site. BYD

From 2014, when the first electric bus factory was built, to now整车 production, parts supply, charging network, and green energy system, BYD has always practiced a logic: globalization must be rooted in localization.

In the battery field, BYD has set up a supporting battery factory at the Camarari factory, and in the north of Brazil, Manaus, BYD had already established a phosphate iron battery production line in 2020, and added a blade battery production line in 2024.

Even in the "Lithium Valley" of Minas Gerais in Brazil, BYD has obtained exploration rights for two lithium mine areas, preparing for future local raw material supply.

Regarding the dealer system, now, each capital city in Brazil has at least one BYD dealer store. According to the plan, by the end of this year, BYD will have 240 fully operating dealer stores in Brazil.

In terms of charging infrastructure construction, BYD has joined forces with local energy companies to build the "BYD Recharge" network, which has over 450 public charging points, making it the largest public charging project in Brazil.

Additionally, BYD has introduced "automatic charging" function in dealer stores, allowing drivers to insert the charger and automatically identify and settle the payment.

More importantly, this localization extends to people — with the completion of the Camarari factory, it will create more than 20,000 direct and indirect jobs. In an area where the traditional oil industry is shrinking and job opportunities are disappearing, BYD's arrival means new jobs and the return of manufacturing.

Therefore, Lula also stated in his speech that he felt proud of BYD's arrival, and the significance of this factory lies in helping the people of Camarari and Bahia regain their dignity.

Lula's speech on site. BYD

"You have the potential to create history, manufacturing the most precise and fastest cars on Earth — this glory will belong to Bahia, China, and Brazil," Lula said.

From "BYD Road" to "Presidential Customer": When Chinese Automakers Begin to Be Trusted

Outside the Camarari factory, a new road sign has been changed to the name — "BYD Road".

This road used to be called "Henry Ford Road", symbolizing Brazil's former industrial glory. Now, it is renamed with the name of a Chinese automaker, becoming the first "BYD Road" on the South American continent, meaning a new era is beginning here.

BYD Road in Bahia, Brazil. BYD

However, the road to the South American market has never been smooth. Just before the factory started production, four local traditional car manufacturers, citing "fair competition" and "protecting the local industry", demanded to reject BYD's reasonable tariff rate application.

In their letter, they advocated that the high import tariffs of 35% on imported car parts should be restored as early as mid-2026, claiming that the current policy is not beneficial to Brazilian manufacturing.

BYD did not avoid it, but responded to the doubts with an open letter, emphasizing that it won consumers through its leading technology and product power.

To the surprise of many, this "direct confrontation" triggered widespread public support — on social media, a large number of Brazilian netizens criticized the local car manufacturers for "monopolizing the market and inflating prices", believing that "BYD's appearance has brought cars back to a reasonable price range".

"I hope that Chinese auto brands can ultimately break the comfortable situation enjoyed by Volkswagen, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Citroën, Renault, Nissan, Toyota, and Honda — because these companies only export overpriced, low-quality cars to the Brazilian market." On overseas social media, a Brazilian netizen said this.

For any foreign company, such a public opinion reversal is no easy task. Building trust requires user word-of-mouth and actual experience.

According to the latest report by the authoritative Brazilian institution Decoupling, BYD surpassed 11 major mainstream car brands including Honda, Volkswagen, and Ford in the first quarter of 2025, becoming the car brand with the highest consumer satisfaction in Brazil. In September this year, BYD also received the highest RA1000 certification from the well-known Brazilian consumer review platform Reclame Aqui.

This precisely explains why the ceremony for the "launch of the 14th million new energy vehicle" was held in Brazil.

Winning institutional approval, public resonance, and social respect — BYD has set a new height for Chinese automakers on the South American continent.

From BYD, See the New Stage of Chinese Automakers Going Global

The story of BYD in Brazil actually reflects the "third stage" of China's new energy vehicle industry — the first two stages were product exports and capacity establishment, and now, the focus of competition is shifting to brand recognition and social connection.

BYD's success in Brazil is not based on subsidies, costs, or short-term sales, but on a deeper strategic thinking: maintaining stability amidst policy fluctuations, actively communicating across cultural differences, supporting the local supply chain in the industrial ecosystem, and adhering to transparency in public opinion trends.

This stability and inclusiveness represent a new corporate spirit of Chinese enterprises — not appearing as conquerors, but entering the global market as builders.

Therefore, the "BYD Road" in Camarari is not only a road leading to the factory, but also a new path connecting Chinese manufacturing with the global society.

When China's new energy vehicles drive toward the world, they are not only outputting technology, but also a new model of global cooperation: a consensus on green development and an open attitude to reshape trust.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7559971423112938003/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author. Please express your attitude below using the 【like/dislike】 button.