BYD's first European factory in Hungary to open in late 2025

Chinese electric car giant BYD is opening its first European factory in southern Hungary, with plans to roll out both EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles beginning in the second half of this year.

Szeged, the third largest city of Hungary, is known for its culture and history, but now, people believe the arrival of Chinese EV giant BYD will possibly reshape its future.

"BYD brings something new, adding diversity to this agriculture-focused city. An industry like this has a ripple effect, creating opportunities. It's a big step forward," said Attila Kokuti, president of Szeged Chamber of Commerce.

BYD's multibillion-dollar factory will be the first multinational investment in Szeged, transforming the city into an industrial and economic hub.

Experts say that since the project's announcement in 2024, housing demand has tripled, and property prices have increased by 12 percent over the past year.

"When the factory starts to work, and starts to produce electronic cars, there will be a huge demand from the workforce as well for housing opportunities, and it will also increase the home prices in terms of homes for sale and in terms of homes for rent," said Lazslo Balogh, a chief business expert from ingatlan.com, an online property listings marketplace in Hungary.

Real estate agents in Szged say there are enough homes in this city of 170,000 people to satisfy demand, but they say that could change as more workers move to the city.

Szeged's Chamber of Commerce said BYD's factory could attract suppliers and tech startups, boosting the city's economy.

For real estate agents like Szilvia Dajka, who is helping BYD secure housing for future employees, the transformation of the city into a major business hub is already here.

"Currently, contractors are focusing on building traditional apartment buildings in the city. There hasn't been much of a residential building boom, but we expect that to change soon," said Dajka.

BYD's factory is set to open later this year, initially producing 150,000 vehicles annually and creating 3,000-4,000 jobs. In the future, the plant could employ up to 10,000 workers at full capacity.

BYD's first European factory in Hungary to open in late 2025

BYD's first European factory in Hungary to open in late 2025

Israeli forces have launched fresh strikes across multiple areas of the Gaza Strip, with local sources reporting civilian casualties and a further worsening of the humanitarian crisis.

According to Gaza's Civil Defense, the Israeli artillery strike on Friday evening in the Tuffah neighborhood east of Gaza City has killed five local residents, including children. The strike brought the number of Palestinians killed since the October ceasefire to around 400.

"A classroom at the displacement site, where five families were sheltering, was targeted. I was inside when the walls collapsed on us during the strike. I was trapped under the rubble along with my grandson, who was injured. After the bombing, I tried to get up and managed to get out of the place. There were many dead and body parts everywhere," recalled Ismail Al-Barsh, an eyewitness of the attack.

Abu Hamza Affana, an ambulance director who took part in the rescue operation, said Israeli forces repeatedly obstructed emergency efforts.

"When ambulance crews first responded to the distress call, the Israeli army opened fire, forcing us to withdraw due to the continued shooting and shelling of the school. After we were later allowed to proceed, we reached the site and dealt with the casualties," he said.

The Israeli military said the incident is under investigation.

The attacks came as displaced families grapple with severe weather and growing shortages of shelter and basic supplies, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Local sources said that as a powerful storm swept through the region recently, at least 13 Palestinian children died due to shortages of essential supplies and medical services.

Gaza humanitarian crisis worsens as Israeli strikes continue