BYD launches car plant in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville

China’s electric vehicle giant BYD has officially begun operations at its new assembly plant in Cambodia, marking a significant step in the country’s ambitions to become a hub for sustainable transport and foreign investment.

The facility, located in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, was inspected at the weekend by Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, who hailed the project as proof that Cambodia offers a safe and profitable environment for global investors. He urged BYD to strengthen local supply chains by sourcing raw materials and components within the country, a move he said would boost domestic enterprises, transfer technological know‑how and create jobs.

Built on a 12‑hectare site, the plant has the capacity to assemble more than 10,000 vehicles a year. Production will focus on fully electric BYD models alongside hybrids that run on both petrol and electricity. The first phase of construction represents an investment of $32 million, with imported parts currently being assembled locally.

BYD’s arrival places it alongside other international carmakers already operating in Cambodia, including Ford, Toyota and Hyundai. The government hopes the presence of such firms will accelerate its long‑term target: by 2050, 40 percent of cars and urban buses, and 70 percent of motorbikes, should be electric.

Momentum is already building. According to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, 376,507 new vehicles were registered in the first nine months of 2025, including 5,571 electric cars. BYD, Toyota and Tesla are currently the most popular EV brands in the country.

Chanthol described the inspection as a signal to international investors that the government remains closely engaged and ready to support sustainable ventures. The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) plans to use its experience with BYD as a model for future investment facilitation, aiming to boost productivity for both domestic and export markets.

For Cambodia, the launch is more than an industrial milestone. It represents a strategic bet on clean mobility, foreign capital and regional competitiveness—an attempt to position the country not just as a manufacturing base, but as a credible player in the global transition towards greener transport.

-2025-12-22