BYD launches its first locally produced flex hybrid car in Brazil, strengthening its presence in the country

BYD introduced its first locally manufactured flex plug-in hybrid vehicle on Tuesday (4th). The Song Pro Super-Hybrid Flex Fuel model will be available at Brazilian dealerships starting Wednesday (5th), marking an advancement in the Chinese automaker's strategy to increase its national presence through local production.

In conversation with Reuters, Alexandre Baldy, Senior Vice President of BYD in Brazil, detailed that the car can operate using electricity, gasoline, or ethanol. He specified that the GL version has a range of up to 60 kilometers in purely electric mode, while the GS version reaches up to 120 kilometers.

Model developed exclusively for the Brazilian market

This vehicle was built at the BYD unit located in Camaçari (BA) and represents the first project resulting from collaboration between the company's R&D teams in Brazil and China. Baldy described this achievement as a highly symbolic project for BYD, as it is the first development partnership that resulted in a product specifically adapted for the Brazilian market.

Additionally, the executive mentioned that the automobile meets the automaker's goal of incorporating more than 50% national components in all vehicles produced in Brazil by January 2027.

Local production gains strength

Initially, BYD operated in Brazil by assembling semi-finished vehicles, but now it is accelerating the shift to full manufacturing in the country. This strategic change aims to comply with Brazilian regulations and position Brazil as an export hub for other regions. Currently, the company already uses national suppliers for items such as tires and plans to begin battery manufacturing at the Camaçari plant, inaugurated in October 2025, in addition to expanding local production of other parts.

Despite being created with Brazil in mind, Baldy emphasized that the Song Pro Flex has the potential to be sold in other locations in the future, such as India, as global ethanol usage expands.

R$ 5.5 billion investment

The Camaçari factory is part of a total investment of R$ 5.5 billion made by BYD. The company expects to produce about 180,000 vehicles at this unit this year alone. According to Baldy, approximately 150,000 of these cars will be destined for the Brazilian market, where the automaker projects selling around 200,000 units in 2026.

BYD records best month in history in Brazil

The manufacturer is also experiencing a period of strong growth in sales. In July, BYD achieved its best performance since arriving in the country. The Dolphin GS was the best-selling car in the Brazilian retail market that month, with 5,861 units sold, according to the company. In total, BYD sold 23,465 vehicles in July, more than double the 9,680 units sold in the same period last year. With this result, the automaker secured the fourth position in the Brazilian market, achieving 9.1% of national sales share.

tecnoblog.netJuly 29, 16:58

BYD plans to launch humanoid robot in August in China for use in stores

BYD announced the launch of its first humanoid robot scheduled for August, with the presentation taking place in China. This announcement was accompanied by a teaser released on WeChat through the dedicated profile of BYD Zhengzhou Di Space, a space that functions as the automaker's scientific museum to showcase its launches.

Focus on Public Interaction

Although the initial publication did not detail technical specifications, the robot's main focus will be its interaction capability. The initiative to develop humanoid robots is not new; in June, BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li stated in a talk show that the company had already been working on this project, which began in 2024 with a dedicated team for artificial intelligence and robotics.

Context of the Chinese Market

The humanoid robot market is undergoing a period of significant growth in China. Last year, a government spokesperson issued a warning about the risk of a bubble forming in this sector. According to the newspaper La Razón, more than 150 manufacturers compete in this Chinese market, including automakers such as Li Auto, Xpeng, Geely, and BYD.

Implementation Goals

Currently, most of these robots are used in factory environments or electric vehicle demonstrations, but companies see potential for other applications. BYD is expected to use the August event to display a functional model, not just a concept, since the Di Space allows specialized media and consumers to test the brand's new offerings. Stella Li explained that the company's goal is to make two or three models available in Chinese dealerships to assist in introducing their electric cars by interacting with the public. However, she stressed that AI robots will not replace the emotional connection established by human salespeople, planning for them to take over this function within two years.

Integration with Automotive Technology

BYD already employs humanoid robots in its own factories, using models from UBTech Robotics alongside its autonomous vehicles. Furthermore, Li mentioned that the automaker intends to produce both its own humanoids and others developed in partnership with external companies. The electric vehicle and NEV sector is in sync with AI robots, with various Chinese and international automakers, such as Hyundai, Tesla, and BMW, investing in the area. For Stella Li, there is a competitive advantage in this segment because the development of software and hardware shares similar foundations with technologies dominated by the automotive industry.

Global Robotics Trends

Humanoid robots have gained prominence since early 2026, with numerous manufacturers exhibiting prototypes and products at CES. Since then, brands such as the Chinese Unitree and the American Figure AI have already implemented practical uses of their models, being present at Tokyo airport and a parcel distribution unit, respectively.