BYD Launches Electric Vehicle (EV) Plant in Cambodia Expansion
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD has officially started construction on a US\$32 million EV assembly plant in Cambodia. This marks a major step in the company’s ongoing push to expand its presence across Southeast Asia. As competition in the EV sector intensifies, BYD continues to target fast-growing emerging markets to support its global ambitions.
The new facility is located in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone. It will span 12 hectares and operate under a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) model. In this model, BYD will ship in EV parts and assemble them locally. The plant will produce both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Construction is expected to finish by October. Production should begin by November 2025. BYD targets an annual output of 10,000 vehicles.
Notably, senior officials from both countries attended the groundbreaking ceremony on April 28. Chinese Ambassador Wang Wenbin and Cambodian First Vice President of the Council for the Development, Sun Chanthol, showed their support for the project. Their presence highlights the strong bilateral ties and shared economic vision.
Meanwhile, Cambodia’s EV sector is growing rapidly. In 2023, the country registered only 313 EVs. That figure surged to 2,253 in 2024. Looking ahead, the Cambodian government aims for 40% of all cars and urban buses to be electric by 2050. BYD’s investment directly supports this goal. By assembling vehicles locally, BYD can reduce EV costs. As a result, more Cambodians may adopt electric mobility. Furthermore, the project will drive infrastructure growth, including charging stations and maintenance facilities.
Additionally, this is BYD’s second major facility in Southeast Asia. The first, located in Thailand, opened in July 2024 and produces 150,000 vehicles annually. A third plant in Indonesia, costing US\$1 billion, is also on track to open by the end of 2025. Together, these projects form a key part of BYD’s plan to sell 5.5 million vehicles globally in 2025. Of that number, over 800,000 units will be for overseas markets.
Moreover, the Cambodian plant will generate significant employment. Local workers will fill roles in assembly, logistics, and administration. In turn, this will help build technical skills and increase household income. It will also generate tax revenue for the government. Consequently, Cambodia’s reputation as a manufacturing hub will strengthen.
In summary, BYD’s Cambodia project reinforces its long-term strategy in Southeast Asia. At the same time, it gives Cambodia a major boost in reaching its clean energy and industrial goals.
