BYD storms Romania in fast EU expansion amid tariff fight

Chinese automaker BYD has officially entered the Romanian market, introducing four models as part of its broader European expansion. The lineup includes two all-electric vehicles—the BYD Sealion 7 and BYD Seal—and two plug-in hybrids, the BYD Seal U DM-i (Song Plus) and the compact BYD Atto 2 (Yuan UP). The announcement was made on the company’s official Weibo account.

BYD has partnered with Romanian distributors Tiriac Auto and DAB Auto to support its entry. The company has opened its first showroom in Bucharest and plans to establish over 30 sales and service outlets nationwide by the end of 2025. Cities such as Ploiești, Brașov, Iași, Cluj-Napoca, and Timișoara are included in the expansion plan.

BYD’s rollout in Romania amid ongoing changes in the European Union’s tariff structures. Electric vehicles imported from China face a 27% tariff, while plug-in hybrids are taxed at 10%. BYD’s mix of EV and PHEV models reflects an effort to adjust to these regulatory conditions while offering options that align with market demand.

Romania is one of the latest European markets BYD has entered. The company is now in over 20 European countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and various Nordic states. It has stated a long-term goal of becoming Europe’s leading electric vehicle brand by 2030.

This move follows BYD’s recent launch in Croatia, where it partnered with Auto Hrvatska and Harmony New Energy Auto Service Zagreb. These expansions follow strong global performance. In 2024, BYD sold 4.3 million vehicles and reported close to €100 billion in revenue. It has set a sales target of 5.5 million units for 2025.

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Its research and development team, comprising over 120,000 staff, continues to support product innovation across its global operations.

The launch event in Bucharest drew Romanian officials, business leaders, and media, indicating rising local interest in the brand. With Romania’s market evolving toward electrification, BYD’s entry is expected to contribute to the growing shift toward low-emission vehicles.

Founded in 1995, BYD has expanded from battery manufacturing to new energy vehicles and renewable energy technologies. The company employs over one million people globally and is expanding its presence in key international markets.

Source: IT-Home