{
  "id": 8016372,
  "title": "Chinese automakers scour Europe for factories ahead of EU local content rules, says BYD adviser",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/chinese-automakers-scour-europe-for-factories-ahead-of-eu-local",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-17T11:49:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/chinese-automakers-scour-europe-for-factories-ahead-of-eu-local-content-rules-says-byd-adviser-4905434"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chinese automakers are scouting European factories in anticipation of upcoming EU local content rules for electric vehicles, according to Alfredo Altavilla, BYD’s European adviser. Altavilla claims that they are primarily looking at refurbishing existing car assembly plants rather than building new factories. Spain and France are the most feasible options for BYD, as they possess simpler situations, he explained. The primary factor to consider is the cost of refurbishing the chosen site.\n\nAltavilla frequently visits factories across Europe to assess potential sites for BYD, adding that he recently embarked on a late flight to England to inspect another facility. He emphasized that his team is conducting extensive feasibility studies for all the options they are considering, noting that competitors are also actively pursuing similar objectives.\n\nChinese manufacturers have already joined forces with European automakers to share production lines at underutilized plants. Notably, Leapmotor and Dongfeng cooperated with Stellantis in Spain and France, while Geely partnered with Ford in Spain. Chery also collaborated with a local partner to take over an old Nissan facility in Spain.\n\nThe EU is currently drafting its 'Made in Europe' rules, which will establish minimum local content requirements for EVs sold within the bloc. These regulations are anticipated to be implemented by next year. While Chinese automakers scramble to comply, BYD plans to purchase and fully renovate an existing factory to expedite localized production. Currently, BYD is in the early stages of building its first European passenger car plant in Hungary, and they aim to select a location for their second European facility by the end of the year. Altavilla revealed that BYD will ultimately require three assembly plants and one battery plant in Europe to accommodate its expansion objectives and meet EU rules. Although Spain and France remain viable choices, Italy has become their Plan B due to Stellantis' reluctance to sell any plants in the country.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Chinese automakers scouting European factories for EU EV rules",
    "BYD adviser Alfredo Altavilla visits potential sites in Spain and France",
    "EU local content rules expected to take effect next year"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Finance",
        "title": "Chinese automakers scour Europe for factories ahead of EU local content rules, says BYD adviser",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/chinese-automakers-scour-europe-for-factories-ahead-of-eu-local-8019490",
        "published": "2026-09-17T11:41:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}