Photo: official X account of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

By Brasil 247 - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva embarked on a high-profile visit to the state of Bahia on Thursday, October 9, 2025, underscoring his administration's commitment to industrial revitalization and clean energy. According to the official agenda released by the Palácio do Planalto, Lula arrived in Salvador early in the morning before traveling to Camaçari, where he attended the inauguration of BYD's new automobile plant at the city's petrochemical complex.

The visit marks a symbolic turning point for Brazil's industrial landscape. The facility in Camaçari — once home to Ford's operations before their 2021 closure — is now the centerpiece of Brazil's push toward reindustrialization and sustainable mobility. The Chinese automaker BYD, known for its electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, represents a cornerstone of the government's broader strategy to attract green investment and generate skilled jobs.

Later in the day, Lula will travel to Maragogipe to attend an investment announcement ceremony at the Estaleiro Enseada, a major shipyard being revitalized with projects focused on renewable energy and logistics. The visit reflects the administration's goal of linking industrial development with environmental responsibility.

BYD's record-breaking performance in Brazil

As reported by Brasil 247 and confirmed by BYD, the company has reached a historic milestone in Brazil: more than 170,000 electrified vehicles sold in under three years since launching operations in the country. Between 2022 and October 2025, 172,303 vehicles were registered, underscoring the rapid expansion of sustainable mobility in Latin America's largest economy.

In a statement released on Monday (Oct. 6), BYD said the achievement reinforces its leadership in the electric and plug-in hybrid segments. The milestone comes just two months after the company celebrated its 150,000th sale — evidence of growing consumer confidence in the automaker's green technology.

Top-selling models and market performance

The company's most popular models are the BYD Dolphin Mini and the BYD Song Plus. The Dolphin Mini — the first fully electric vehicle manufactured in Brazil, produced at the Camaçari plant — has sold 44,945 units, while the plug-in hybrid Song Plus follows with 36,213 units, combining efficiency, technology, and sleek design.

In September 2025 alone, BYD registered 9,934 passenger vehicles, ranking seventh in overall national sales with 5.56% market share. Including fleet and light vehicle sales, the company holds 4.33% market share and occupies eighth place overall, with 10,024 units sold. For the year to date, BYD has recorded 77,198 registrations.

Excluding fleet sales, BYD now ranks among Brazil's five best-selling automotive brands, with 9.21% market share, trailing only Volkswagen, Fiat, General Motors, and Hyundai. The company leads retail sales in Porto Velho and Maceió, and is among the top performers in Brasília, Fortaleza, Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Florianópolis.

"A new chapter" for Brazilian industry

"Two months after celebrating the historic milestone of 150,000 cars sold in Brazil, we are now proud to announce more than 170,000 units sold since the beginning of BYD Auto's operations," said Alexandre Baldy, BYD Brazil's senior vice president and head of marketing and sales. "These results reflect the company's accelerating growth and the impact our vehicles are making in the market," he added.

Baldy emphasized the strategic importance of the new facility: "With the Camaçari plant, we are opening a new chapter for Brazil's automotive industry — one that unites innovation with affordability."

Dominating the electric and hybrid segments

BYD continues to dominate Brazil's electric vehicle market, accounting for over 70% of all fully electric (BEV) sales in September, with 5,687 units registered. Its models — the Dolphin Mini, Dolphin, and Yuan Pro — took the top three positions in the national ranking.

In the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) category, BYD also performed strongly, selling 4,333 units and capturing more than 22% of market share.

With the inauguration of the new Camaçari plant and its record-breaking sales performance, BYD cements its status as a key player in Brazil's energy transition and industrial renewal — a central pillar of President Lula's vision for a green and inclusive economic resurgence.

(Reported by Brasil 247 on October 9, 2025)