BYD vehicles are sold globally, with a particularly dominant presence in its home market of China, but the company is rapidly expanding its international footprint. For consumers in the United States, BYD cars are not currently sold directly to the public. However, BYD has a significant and growing presence in over 70 countries and regions worldwide, with major pushes in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Their expansion strategy focuses on all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
The primary markets outside China include Europe, where they are sold in countries like Norway, Germany, and the UK; the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Japan, and Thailand; and the Americas, with a strong presence in countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. While you can't buy a BYD passenger car in the U.S., the company does sell its electric buses and commercial vehicles to municipal and private fleet operators across the country.
The following table outlines some of BYD's key international markets and the popular models available there, demonstrating the scale of their global operations.
| Region/Country | Popular BYD Models | Market Entry Focus | Notable Fact |
|---|
| Norway | BYD Tang SUV, BYD Han EV | Early European adopter | One of the first European markets; high EV adoption rate. |
| Germany | BYD Atto 3, BYD Han | Challenging the home of legacy automakers. | Sold through a network of local dealership partners. |
| United Kingdom | BYD Dolphin, BYD Atto 3 | Right-hand drive market expansion. | Launched in 2023 with a focus on competitive pricing. |
| Australia | BYD Atto 3, BYD Dolphin | Growing EV market share. | Quickly became one of the top-selling EV brands. |
| Thailand | BYD Atto 3, BYD Dolphin | Regional manufacturing hub. | BYD is building a manufacturing plant in Thailand. |
| Brazil | BYD Song Plus, BYD Dolphin | Leading EV brand in Latin America. | Local manufacturing facility to supply the region. |
| Mexico | BYD Han, BYD Tang | Strategic market for North America. | Seen as a potential gateway to the broader NAFTA region. |
| Japan | BYD Atto 3, BYD Dolphin | Entering a challenging, mature market. | A significant move as a Chinese brand in Japan. |
| Israel | BYD Atto 3 | High EV adoption market. | Consistently a top-selling model in the country. |
| India | BYD e6 (commercial focus) | Early market presence. | Partnership for local assembly and sales. |
For American drivers interested in BYD's technology, the closest experience might be through their commercial vehicles. The company's refusal to enter the U.S. passenger market is often attributed to high import tariffs (27.5% on Chinese-made vehicles) and intense political and competitive pressures. The strategic focus remains on markets with favorable EV policies and less trade friction.
