Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD held a ceremony on Friday to lay the foundation stone for the project of expanding its electric bus and truck plant in Komarom, northern Hungary, marking a significant step in the company's European operation growth strategy.
The investment project includes the development of a new 29,000-square-meter production facility, expected to generate over 600 new jobs in the region.
Once the expansion is completed, the state-of-the-art plant will triple its current production capacity, enabling the annual manufacturing of more than 1,000 electric buses and trucks. This expansion is aimed at meeting the growing demand for zero-emission transport solutions across Europe.
The BYD opened the Komarom plant in 2017. Since then, they've produced more than 700 electric buses, including new 18-meter articulated models.
"Our bus has very good quality, very good energy consumption," said Zhang Daochun, managing director of BYD Europe Commercial Vehicle Business Center.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto emphasized the strategic importance of the investment project. He described the BYD as a dynamically expanding company and said that Hungary has boarded an express train that many in Europe are still trying to catch. "In Hungary, we choose connection and mutual respect. We believe in working together globally. This is a great opportunity - when East and West join forces, big things happen. Hungary and China working together are [is] already delivering real results," said Szijjarto.
The new facility will also feature a dedicated research and development test lab, further strengthening Hungary's role in the region's electric vehicle manufacturing sector.
"Komarom is a very important city for Hungary and this city is very friendly to us, no matter [whether it comes to] employees, no matter [whether it comes to the local] community, [the] environment, no matter [whether it come to] taxi [service]. Everything is very good for us. That's one of the reasons why we want to expand our plant here," Zhang said.
In addition to the Komarom project, the company is building its first European passenger car plant in Szeged in southern Hungary, and plans to establish its European headquarters and research and development center in Budapest.
With its electric buses having already covered over 590 million km across Europe and contributing to cutting the emission of more than 630,000 tons of carbon dioxide, the BYD has established itself as a leading force in the region's electric mobility sector.
BYD expands electric bus, truck plant in Hungary
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
