Chinese automotive giant BYD, one of the leading manufacturers of the global electric vehicle market, made a remarkable change in its Europe and Türkiye strategy and suspended its approximately 1 billion dollar Manisa investment planned in Türkiye.
SHIFT IT TO THE PRODUCTION BASE IN HUNGARY
While it is stated that the electric and rechargeable hybrid vehicle factory that the company planned to establish in the Manisa region was postponed due to the redetermination of priorities, it is stated that BYD has completely shifted its focus to its production base in Hungary.
CLAIM ‘POISONOUS SOIL WAS TRANSPORTED’
While the construction of the factory in Szeged, which is positioned as the main production center in Europe, continues, allegations of “toxic soil being transported” related to the project aroused wide repercussions in the country, and the Hungarian police launched an investigation into the allegations.
CONTROL MECHANISMS INCREASED
It is claimed that the soil from the construction site was transported to another region in violation of environmental legislation, and it is stated that with the recent tightening of environmental controls in the country, control mechanisms for large industrial investments have also been increased.
‘A BASENESS AND FALSE CLAIM’
A harsh response came from the BYD front to the allegations. In her statement to Bloomberg, Stella Li, the company’s vice president, flatly denied the accusations and stated that this was a “baseless and false allegation”, while announcing that the legal process had been initiated and lawyers were involved.
