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BYD Test Center in Rio de Janeiro Reinforces Company Strategy in Brazil and Prepares Structure for Validation of Vehicles and Autonomous Driving Technologies
The Chinese automaker BYD announced on Friday, March 13, 2026, the establishment of the first automotive testing and evaluation center of the company in Brazil, an initiative that reinforces the company’s strategic presence in the country.
The project will include an estimated investment of R$ 300 million and will be used to test, validate, and demonstrate vehicles in real usage conditions, expanding the brand’s technological infrastructure in Brazilian territory.
The new complex will be installed at the Galeão International Airport – Antônio Carlos Jobim, located on Governador Island in Rio de Janeiro.
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The area designated for the project covers 183,861 square meters, according to data released by BYD during the official announcement.
Structure Will Be Implemented at Galeão
The schedule released by the company indicates that construction is expected to begin in late 2026.
The inauguration of the structure is planned to occur in 2028, when the center should begin its automotive testing operations.
The space was designed to allow for the evaluation of vehicles in real driving scenarios, as well as to support technological demonstrations developed by the company.
The infrastructure will also serve to validate performance, test automotive systems, and enhance technologies present in the brand’s vehicles.
Technology and Innovation as a Priority
According to BYD, the new center will play a significant role in the development of innovations related to smart mobility, prioritizing technologies associated with autonomous driving.
The company considers this type of infrastructure essential for accelerating technological development and validating new solutions applied to vehicles.
Thus, the center is expected to contribute to expanding tests of advanced systems and supporting the enhancement of automotive technologies.
Announcement Took Place During Official Ceremony
The project announcement took place during an institutional ceremony held in Brazil.
The event was attended by Stella Li, global vice president of BYD and CEO of the company in the Americas, and Tyler Li, CEO of BYD in Brazil.
The ceremony also featured the participation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who attended the investment presentation.
During the announcement, the CEO of BYD in Brazil emphasized the importance of the Brazilian market for the company’s global strategy.
Strategic Importance of the Brazilian Market
According to Tyler Li, Brazil has become a central position in the company’s international expansion.
The executive stated that the country has currently become BYD’s largest market outside of China, a factor driving the company’s new investments.
He also emphasized that the results achieved by the company in the Brazilian market demonstrate BYD’s strong trajectory in the country.
According to the executive, this performance reinforces the company’s confidence to continue expanding projects and investments in the national territory.
Model Follows Existing Testing Centers in China
The company reported that the Brazilian project was inspired by similar structures operated by BYD in China.
Among them is the Zhengzhou unit, used as a reference for the development and validation of automotive technologies.
This model of center allows for testing vehicles in varied conditions and evaluating systems in controlled environments.
Thus, the new complex in Rio de Janeiro is expected to follow this same logic of operation and technological development.
BYD’s Expansion in Brazil
Therefore, the investment in the testing center demonstrates Brazil’s strategic role in BYD’s international expansion.
Additionally, the new infrastructure reinforces the company’s presence in the Brazilian market.
Thus, the project expands the company’s automotive testing capacity and strengthens its technological development in the country.
To what extent can new automotive investments transform Brazil’s role in global vehicle development and innovation in the sector?
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