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Arpit Nayak

Chinese EV Maker BYD Sets Sights On India With $1 Billion Proposal

The BYD HAN EV full electric sedan on display at Brussels Expo on Jan. 13, 2023. BYD has submitted a $1 billion investment proposal to build electric cars and batteries in India through a joint venture with a local engineering company. (Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images)

China’s biggest EV maker BYD Co Ltd (OTC: BYDDY) (OTC: BYDDF), backed by Warren Buffett‘s Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA), has submitted a $1 billion investment proposal to build electric cars and batteries in India through a joint venture with a local engineering company.

The longer-term plan includes manufacturing a full range of BYD-branded EVs in India, from hatchbacks to luxury models, sources told Reuters.

BYD’s plans could pose a challenge to the dominance of Elon Musk-led Tesla Inc’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) dominance in the EV market and expand its global presence, with India being the world’s third-largest car market. 

It was previously reported that Tesla is in talks with the Indian government to invest in building a car factory in the country that will produce up to 500,000 electric vehicles a year, with prices starting from $24,000.

New Tesla electric vehicles fill the car lot at the Tesla retail location on Route 347 in Smithtown, New York on July 5, 2023. Tesla was reportedly in talks with the Indian government to invest in building a car factory in the country that will produce up to 500,000 electric vehicles a year. (JOHN PARASKEVAS/Newsday RM via GETTY IMAGES)

Tesla is also reportedly in discussions over bringing its own supply chain to the country and seeking clarity over incentives and tax breaks.

BYD’s investment, if approved, would position the company in all major global car markets except the U.S. The firm has already invested $200 million in India and currently sells the Atto 3 electric SUV and e6 EV to corporate fleets. The company plans to launch its Seal luxury electric sedan in India this year.

While the exact production capacity proposed by BYD is unclear, the company aims to scale up to manufacturing 100,000 EVs annually in India over the next few years, sources told the business publication. They added that the firm may initially opt for shipping vehicles in parts for local assembly as they establish a robust supply chain and that the investment proposal also includes plans for setting up charging stations, as well as research and development and training centers in India.

 

© 2023 Zenger News.com. Zenger News does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Produced in association with Benzinga

Edited by Arnab Nandy

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