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Chinese BYD Electric Hatch Arrives in Two Versions with Local Production Planned for December
BYD, an automotive giant from China, is about to take a big step in its expansion in Brazil with the local production of the BYD Dolphin Mini. This electric hatch, which will be the cheapest from the brand in the country, will arrive in two versions: GL and GS. Production of the model is scheduled to start in December at the new BYD factory in Camaçari, Bahia, according to the Carros ig website.
Factory in Camaçari/BA: A New Era for BYD in Brazil
With the construction of the factory in Camaçari, BYD is preparing to produce several of its models in Brazil. In addition to the Dolphin Mini, the Yuan Plus, Song Plus, and Dolphin vehicles are also on the local production list. According to information from Marlos Ney Vidal, from the Autos Segredos website, the Dolphin Mini will be the first to come off the Brazilian assembly line.
The production regime will be SKD (Semi Knock-Down), where several parts of the vehicles will arrive pre-assembled from China. This includes assembled and, in some cases, painted bodies, which will only be finalized in Brazil. Despite this process, the cars will be considered national, allowing BYD to escape the import duties that will come into effect in July 2026.
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Expansion Strategy and Investment of the Chinese Company in Brazil
BYD is not only focused on the Dolphin Mini. iG Carros has learned that the BYD King is also planned for production in Brazil in two versions, in addition to the Shark pickup, which is expected to be another focus of local production. In March, the company announced the start of construction at the Camaçari factory, on the former Ford site. With an investment of R$ 287.8 million to acquire the 4.6 million m² land from the Bahia government, the first phase of the project will include the construction of 26 new facilities, production warehouses, a testing track, and other structures, occupying approximately 1 million m².
In July 2023, BYD announced an investment of R$ 3 billion in Brazil for the coming years, demonstrating its commitment to the Brazilian market and its intention to strengthen the local production of electric vehicles.
Learn More About the BYD Dolphin Mini
Technical and Commercial Details of the BYD Dolphin Mini
The BYD Dolphin Mini, called Seagull in China, will hit the Brazilian market with a starting price of R$ 115,800. However, this price is expected to increase due to new federal taxes aimed at encouraging local production of electric vehicles. The Dolphin Mini will be sold in two versions, GL and GS, with differences in equipment and battery capacity.
The Chinese model has three versions, including technologies such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and lane departure warning, which will not be present in the Brazilian version launched in February.
Equipped with a 38 kWh battery, the BYD Dolphin Mini offers 75 hp and 13.7 kgfm of instant torque. The hatch accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 14.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 130 km/h. The manufacturer claims that the model has a range of 400 km, while Inmetro, with its stricter measurements, estimates a range of 280 km.
Future Perspectives of BYD in Brazil
With the local production of the BYD Dolphin Mini, BYD reinforces its position in the Brazilian electric vehicle market, offering an affordable and sustainable option for consumers. The local production strategy not only avoids import duties but also aligns the brand with government policies that encourage the manufacturing of electric cars in Brazil.
BYD is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles in Brazil, and the factory in Camaçari will be a crucial point in this expansion. With significant investments and a diverse range of products, BYD is prepared to become an important player in the Brazilian automotive market.
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