Chinese carmaking giant BYD strengthens its positions in Hungary

China’s BYD sold 558 electric passenger cars in Hungary in January-April, more than double the number in the same period a year earlier, BYD PR Hungary told MTI.

BYD’s market share in the segment reached 17.9pc, closing in on market leader Tesla’s 21.5pc share. BYD’s sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles reached 757 in January-April. In 2024, BYD’s car and LCV sales came to 1,548, giving it a 1.37pc market share.

PM Viktor Orbán Chinese BYD HQ — Inside of a BYD car presented for the prime minister during the visit of the BYD’s head in Budapest. Photo: FB/Orbán

This year, BYD sales in Hungary could double or even triple, BYD PR Hungary said. BYD recently unveiled its Dolphin Surf, a city compact, its eighth model available in Europe. BYD is building a manufacturing plant in Szeged (SE Hungary), its first in Europe, and is establishing a business and development centre in Hungary.

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AutoWallis adds Chinese brand XPENG to portfolio

Hungary’s AutoWallis has added Chinese EV brand XPENG to its portfolio, the listed car dealer announced on Monday. AutoWallis Caetano, a joint venture of AutoWallis Group and Portuguese partner Salvador Caetano Group, will have exclusive sales rights for the Chinese brand in Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia under the agreement with XPENG. AutoWallis now has 28 brands in its portfolio, including two more Chinese ones: BYD and MG.

Continest presents defence industry business

Hungary’s Continest, which makes foldable containers that can be used as temporary accommodations, offices, first aid stations or for other purposes, presented its newly-established defence industry subsidiary at a press conference. The new business, called Continest Defence Lab (CNDL), will allow Continest to focus more effectively on defense industry and humanitarian projects, as well business-to-government requirements and developments.

Continest also showcased its participation in the European Defence Fund’s TRAVISMOS project to develop a mobile container-based simulation solution for training with real-time non-contact monitoring of trainees’ vital signs. Continest is undertaking the project, with EUR 2.24m of EDF support, in consortium with Guardiaris of Slovenia, Austria’s ITEC, Italy’s Smartex and Finnish VTT.