Surging Exports Cause Vessel Shortage! BYD Acquires 10 Ro-Ro Ships, In-House Parts Ratio Hits 70%

[BitAuto News]BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li recently confirmed in an exclusive interview with France's BFM Business in Belgium that BYD has ordered another 10 car carriers. Asked whether the move to build its own fleet was driven by existing shipping carriers failing to meet transport demand, Li responded with a smile: "Let me share a secret with you——we have just acquired another 10 vessels."

10 New Vessels: Proprietary Fleet to Reach 18 Ships

Combined with the 8 vessels previously on order, BYD's proprietary fleet will expand to 18 ships once deliveries are completed, boosting total capacity beyond 130,000 CEU (Car Equivalent Unit) and supporting an annual export capability of 2.5 million units. The latest orders comprise large LNG dual-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs), which run on natural gas and deliver significantly lower carbon emissions than conventional bunker-fuelled vessels.

Li stated bluntly that the rationale behind buying vessels is simple——export volume has surged so rapidly that shipping capacity simply cannot keep up. Operating a proprietary fleet enables autonomous dispatch, guarantees dedicated transport capacity, and trims logistics costs.

In-House Component Manufacturing Accounts for 70%

During the interview, Li also revealed that BYD's self-developed and self-manufactured parts already account for 70% of total vehicle components. From traction batteries and electric motors to automotive-grade semiconductors, BYD stands out as one of the very few carmakers worldwide capable of handling end-to-end proprietary R&D and production for core components. This gives the brand far greater resilience amid supply chain volatility, whilst ensuring tighter control over build quality and costs.

Li added that BYD plans to manufacture cutting-edge intelligent robotics moving forward, further driving up production automation standards.

New European Assembly Plant: Site Decision Due by Year-End, France and Spain Frontrunners

Beyond fleet expansion, Li confirmed that BYD is actively planning another assembly facility in Europe. Construction at its Szeged plant in Hungary has entered trial-production preparation with an investment of €4 billion (approx. HK$34 billion); volume production is slated for the first half of 2026, with the DOLPHIN SURF leading the line-up.

Unlike the purpose-built greenfield plant in Hungary, the second European assembly facility will likely be acquired and retrofitted from an existing plant. France and Spain are currently the top contenders, with Italy serving as a backup option. Li made it clear that France earned its spot on the shortlist primarily due to its "exceptionally competitive energy costs".

Furthermore, BYD will host supplier conventions in Germany and France this November to enlist more European parts suppliers. Li reiterated: "Over the long run, all vehicles we sell in Europe will eventually be built locally."

The key takeaway from this interview goes beyond the purchase of 10 car carriers; it lies in Li's revelations about the 70% in-house component ratio and intelligent robotics. That vertical integration represents the true backbone of BYD's global expansion——not just exporting cars, but replicating its entire supply chain and manufacturing ecosystem across international markets.

Source: BFM Business Exclusive Interview (France)

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